Edisi 06 September 2013 | International Bali post

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Entertainment Scarlett Johansson engaged to French journalist

Friday, September 6, 2013

Associated Press Writer

PARIS — Apparently love didn’t get lost in translation for Scarlett Johansson, who is engaged to a Frenchman and onetime journalist. Johansson’s rep, Marcel Pariseau, confirmed her engagement to Romain Dauriac on Thursday. Pariseau said no date was set for their wedding.

Johansson, 28, whose marriage to actor Ryan Reynolds ended in 2010, is Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File

generally reluctant to talk about her private life, but has explained what she does and doesn’t want in a relationship.

“I don’t like jealous behavior,” she told Marie Claire magazine in an interview earlier this year.

“It’s really unattractive because it shows a sort of insecurity.”

Johansson starred in “Lost in Translation” and was in Italy this week promoting “Under the Skin” when the large diamond ring on her left hand started getting attention.

Actress Scarlett Johansson arrives on the red carpet for the screening of the film Under The Skin at the 70th edition of the Venice Film Festival held from Aug. 28 through Sept. 7, in Venice, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013.

FILE - This May 6, 2013 file photo shows actress Michelle Williams at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala benefit, “Punk: Chaos to Couture” in New York.

Michelle Williams to hit Broadway in new ‘Cabaret’

WEATHER FORECAST 23 - 32 Dps

e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id online: http://www.internationalbalipost.com. http://epaper.internationalbalipost.com.

Friday, September 6, 2013 Italy aiming to qualify with 2 matches to spare

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Lawmakers uneasy over US-Myanmar military ties

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Obama heads into the lion’s den in Russia

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APEC drives tourism growth Bali Post

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, said the Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) activities in the APEC Summit 2013 in Indonesia would become the main driver of tourism growth this year.

“The international convention activities bring in many foreign tourists like the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) whose peak takes place this year in Nusa Dua Bali in the upcoming October 7-8,

2013,” said Mari Elka Pangestu.

Mari said her party would optimize the meetings to boost the growth of tourism sector of the country. For the APEC, the ministry had three main activities associated

with the substance of the program.

“We organize the conference ‘High Level Dialogue on Travel Facilitation,’ a Gala Dinner and the launch of ‘Sustainable Development.’ As scheduled, it will be made by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and followed by a high-level international conference in October 5-6, 2013,” she said.

Apart from the three main activities, the ministry would also hold cultural performances in the leader gala dinner on October 7, 2013. “We

also support the spouse program, help desk, TVC and APEC Film as well as the media center,” she said.

According to her, the large number of participants and the heads of state should be taken advantage as a moment for tourism promotion. She stressed the development of tourism industry in Bali should be based on the principles of sustainable tourism.

Such breakthrough was considered essential to sustain the tourism in the region because tourists had now been very concerned about the con-

cept of sustainable tourism.

Domestic tourists On the occasion, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy said that East Java Province was the most desirable or most visited by domestic tourists. “Based on the province, the most visited region by domestic tourists is East Java.

It suggests if this province is the most demanded by domestic tourists,” she said.

Continued on page 6

Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK — Michelle Williams will make her Broadway debut next year in a role best known by Liza Minnelli — fishnet-and-bowler hat wearing chanteuse Sally Bowles in “Cabaret.”

The Roundabout Theatre Company confirmed Wednesday that the former “Dawson’s Creek” and “Brokeback Mountain” star will join Alan Cumming in the revival. Williams takes over after Emma Stone withdrew due to scheduling conflicts.

Previews will begin March 21 with an opening set for April 24 at the Roundabout ‘s Studio 54 theater on Broadway, the last home of the show, which ran for more than 2,000 performances from 1998 to 2004. It won the Tony Award in 1998 for best musical revival.

Cumming, who will be reprising his 1998 turn as Master of Ceremonies, recently ended a one-man “Macbeth.” Also reprising their parts from the 1998 production: Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall, who will direct. Marshall will also choreograph this time as well.

Set in 1931 Berlin, “Cabaret” centers on the world of the indulgent Kit Kat Klub as it becomes intertwined with the world outside, which gets more precarious on the brink of World War II. The songs by John Kander and Fred Ebb include “Willkommen” and “Tomorrow Belongs to Me.” “Cabaret,” both the Broadway show and 1972 film starring Minnelli, Joel Grey and Michael York, are based on the 1951 Broadway play “I Am a Camera,” which, in turn, was based on Christopher Isherwood’s book “Goodbye to Berlin.”

In addition to Minnelli, the part of Bowles has been played by Jill Haworth, Gina Gershon, Melina Kanakaredes, Natasha Richardson, Jane Leeves, Lea Thompson, Alyson Reed and Judi Dench, among others.

Williams’ film career took off with 2005’s “Brokeback Mountain” and received her first of her three Oscar nominations for her performance as the rejected wife of former real-life partner Heath Ledger’s cowboy. She’s earned two other nods, for “Blue Valentine” and “My Week with Marilyn.” Her other credits include “Shutter Island” and “Land of Plenty” and was directed by Raimi in his recent film “Oz: The Great and Powerful.”

The photo shows on of luxurious hotel in Bali Island. The APEC Summit that held in Bali on October will support the development of tourism sector this year. Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, said the Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) activities in the APEC Summit 2013 in Indonesia would become the main driver of tourism growth this year.

AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis

IBP/File Photo

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International

Friday, September 6, 2013

Bali News

IBP/File

Irrigation channel flattened, subak members protest Bangli (Bali Post)—

Waterboom development was protested again by local subak members. It was triggered by the irrigation channel at the surrounding area flattened to be used as the passage of motor cross of the landowner. As a result, the flow of water leading to paddy field of the subak members was increasingly narrowed and very detrimental to subak members.

Before some chiefs of subak organizations and subak members, Chief of Subak Tegallalang, Sang Ketut Rencana, said he was visited by local subak members. Their arrival was to report the backfill against the irrigation channel of subak around the Waterboom project site. As a result, the water flow received by the subak at the downstream was turning smaller. It was certainly very detrimental to the paddy field owners at the downstream. After checking in person, it was true if the embankment of rice field around the site was flattened to the ground.

Meanwhile, in a meeting coinciding with the ritual of welcoming water (mapag toya) at the Tamansari dam, Wednesday (Sep 4), the Chief of Subak Palang, Nengah Wirta, said that so far the construction of water recreational park lacked of coordination. Supposedly, before the development process, the project owner doubling as people’s representative should first make coordination with chiefs of local subak organizations. So, any small complaints could be directly addressed.

As a matter of fact, the subak members around the project site did not question about

the development provided that its operations would not taken advantage of the water of subak and did not interfere with the other agricultural land.

Related to that matter, Chief of Subak Sidembunut, Jro Mangku Sudana, claimed to have not known anything about the water embankment flattened. “I have not known if there is any damage because I have no time to see it,” said Mangku Sudana, accompanied by subgroup head of Tegallalang, Chief of Subak Gede Tampedeha Wayan Lanus and a number of other residents. He promised to deliver it to the project owner. In addition, he also confirmed that the water boom would not be going to use the water of subak. “It is said the project will not use the water of subak, but the water of Municipal Waterworks (PDAM),” he said.

Meanwhile, in responding to the protest of the subak members, the project owner said its party would immediately repair the irrigation channel that had been leveled to the ground.

To clarify the problems occurred all this time, the project owner also promised to conduct a face-to-face meeting with residents. (ina)

Made Sedana Yoga, a port supervisor of the Klungkung Transportation, Communications and Informatics Agency, Wednesday. However, Sedana Yoga said the crossing was back to normal on Wednesday, so the accumulated goods at the port warehouse could be transported.

“However, the crossing was once postponed (Wednesday—Ed) from leaving normally at 08:00 to 09:30 a.m. as the waves were still high in the morning,” he said.

While at other location, the bad weather also made hundreds of residents that normally collected mosaic stones on the coast were also disturbed. As seen on Klotok Beach, hundreds of residents were forced to be disappointed because the usual location of collecting mosaic stones had been swept by tidal waves. Similar conditions also appeared at the traditional ports where they chose to help their relatives becoming a porter to carry goods in the warehouse so they were quickly transported.

He added that bad weather often took place on certain days like on that day, full moon or new moon. “Accidentally, today is new moon, so the waves are high enough accompanied by strong winds,” he said. However, according to him, the condition did not last long. Starting that day, he said the weather would definitely be back to normal and the crossing activity could also run as usual. (kmb31)

Wanted for 11 days, husband of meth bookie arrested Amlapura (Bali Post)—

I Gede Mekel, 41, was finally arrested by drug criminal detective of Karangasem Police after being put on wanted list for 11 days. Mekel doubling as hamlet chief of Cutcut, Ban village, Kubu, Karangasem, was arrested on Tuesday night (Sep 3) at the verge of Jalan Prof. IB Mantra at Tangtu Kesiman, Denpasar.

He was chased after by police because his wife Ni Ketut Sutini, 35, admitted that her husband was involved in the methamphetamine (meth) business. Sutini said she was given meth by her husband Gede Mekel. This mother of four children admitted not to know where her husband obtained the meth. By the suspect Sutini, the mother of shoulder-length hair dyed blonde and having tattoo on her right calf, the meth spindle was divided into smaller packages with retail price at IDR 300,000 and IDR 500,000.

The raid was made when a meth party was held where one of the suspects getting involved was arrested after purchasing a meth package at IDR 300,000 under the name of Komang Artika, 20. At the time of

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IBP

A boat runs aground, crossing service disturbed

The waterboom project in Bangli Regency

Friday, September 6, 2013

Discovery Hotel welcomes new PR Manager

Adverse weather

Semarapura (Bali Post)— Again, the adverse weather condition in the Klungkung waters interrupted the traffic of crossing service at three traditional ports in Kusamba. As a result, the groceries to be ferried to Nusa Penida accumulated in the port warehouses. Even, an 18-ton wooden boat ran aground due to rolled by tidal waves.

A porter at the Tribuana traditional port, Kusamba, Ketut Nada, said on Wednesday (Sep 4) the Satrio Sejati boat with four outboard engines ran aground early when bad weather occurred on Monday morning around 01:00 a.m.

At that time, the boat was being parked at coastal area. The rolls of waves broke the rope used to tie the boat. As a result, the boat almost capsized at the Tribuana traditional port, Kusamba. After the incident, the waves at the local waters were getting higher in the morning. Thus, the port was closed for the day. Other than Tribuana port, the other traditional ports like the Banjar Bias and Kampong Kusamba were also closed.

As a result, the groceries such as rice, bottled water, eggs, medicines and other basic needs accumulated in the warehouse at the respective traditional port. Not only that, a number of building materials such as cement, concrete bricks, earthen bricks, sand and others were suspended in the port area. “The boat does not dare to cross as the waves are very high at the time,” said

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International

raid, aside from arresting two suspects and two witnesses, police also seized evidence including the cash of Sutini admitted as the result of the transaction valued at IDR 23.5 million, 74 packages of meth, a bottle connected to pipette alleged to be a tool used to break the meth spindle into smaller packages and were then wrapped in paper as well as cellular phone recognized by Sutini as the property of a buyer that had not paid in full.

Mekel was arrested without resistance.

From his confession, the police officers participating in the arrest said the beefy man was about to stop a truck. He admitted to be about to return to Karangasem. When confirmed last Wednesday in relation to the confession of her wife that Mekel was also involved in the meth business, he still kept silent. He looked sluggish and got more sleeps in the guest chair of the Chief of Drug Detective Unit, Wayan Merta. Meanwhile, his wife Sutini detained in the Karangasem Police seemed to cry when her husband was said to have been arrested. She admitted to have not met her husband. (013)

 Founder : K.Nadha,  General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti  Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Yudi Winanto Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subrata, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan. Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan. NTB: Agus Talino, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto.  Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi.  Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

KUTA – Luxury five star beachfront resort, Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotelis welcoming the newest addition to its Sales and Marketing Department, Mirah Marhaendra as Public Relations Manager.

A native Balinese, Mirah spent her college years and developed her career as a hotelier in the United States. Upon returning to Bali, she took home her international experience to gain exciting posts at luxury hotels in Legian and Nusa Dua areas.

Her appointment signifies a dynamic shift for Public Relations at Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, as it looks to reposition itself as a leading destination resort. With a strong focus and experience in marketing and public relations, Mirah will strengthen the coverage and engage local and international relations from strategic source market.

“We believe with her international exposure and extensive knowledge on Bali’s hospitality industry will bring significant contribution to the brand awareness and engagements of the international market,” said Alice Matulessy, Director of Sales & Marketing Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel.

IBP/Courtesy of Discovery Hotel

Calendar Event for August 24 through September 28, 2013 24 Aug Purnama Sasih Kawulu & Tumpek Landep Pura Mutering Jagat Dalem Sidakarya Desa Adat Sidakarya Denpasar Pura Pasek Gelgel-Pedungan Denpasar Selatan Pura Agung Pasek Tangguntiti Kaler Tabanan Pura Agung Pasek Selemadeg Tabanan Pura Pasek Tangkas Kediri Tabanan Pura Kerta Banyuninng Barat Buleleng Pura Dalem Tenggaling -Sengguan Singapadu Pura Kawitan Wangbang Pinatih Peguyangan Singaraja Pura Bujangga Waisnawa Tegalcangkring Tabanan Pura Taman Desa Bubunan Seririt Buleleng Pura Penataran Pande Dalem Batur Jati Banjar Pandean Mengwi Pura Dalem Pingit Banjar Tarokaja Tegalalang Pura Dadia Pasek Gelgel-Gobleg Desa Selat Sukasada Buleleng Pura Ida Ratu Pande Besakih Pura Penataran Agung Pinatih Tulikup Banjar Menak Tulikup Gianyar Pura Penataran Pande Kusamba-Klungkung Pura Kumuda Saraswati Ubud Pamerajan Alit Ubud Pura Batur Arya “Warih Kepaon” Cengolo Sudimara Tabanan Pura Dalem Majapahit Banjar Denuma Kukuh Marga Tabanan Pura Dalem batur Bangli Pura Buana Kawan Besakih Pura Ida Ratu Pasek Besakih Pura Dalem Suci Desa Dukuh Sidemen Karangasem 25 Aug Hari Redite Umanis Ukir Sanggah Gede Dukuh Segening Tegal Tugu Gianyar

28 Aug Buda Wage Ukir Pura Pejenengan Kawitan Arya Tauman Banjar Jelantik Kuri Batu Desa Tojan Gelgel Klungkung Pura Pasar Agung Besakih (Alit) Besakih Pura Pasek bendesa Pasar Badung Legian Kuta Pura Gede Gunugn Agung D u k u h Munggu Badung Hyang Agung Pura Ibuwanasari Tegal Pura Puseh, Desa di Bebablang Bangli Pura Dalem Peruncak Badung Pura Pasek Bendesa Hyang Selat Kerobokan Badung Pura Kereban Langit Desa Sading Mengwi Badung Pemerajan Sareng Kangin Baleran Ubud 3 Sep Anggarkasih Kulantir Pura Penataran Tangkas Sukawati Pura Dalem Lagan Bebalang Bangli Pura Puseh Lembeng Ketewel Sukawati Pura Pasek Gelgel Penulisan Kerambitan Tabanan Pura Gaduh Sanding Pura Dalem Gandamayu Klungkung Pura Sang Hyang Tegal Banjar Tarokaja Tegalalang 4 Sep Tilem Sasih Karo Banjar Pasek Tangkas Pasekan Kaler Tabanan Pura Gaduh Benoh Ubung Denpasar 8 Sep Redite Keliwon Tulu Pura Dalem Alas Harum Banjar Tegal Kepuh Kediri Tabanan 9 Sep Soma Umanis Tulu Pura Puseh Bale Agung Ubung Kupang Penebel Tabanan Pura Kawitan Sakula Gotra Pasung Grigih Banjar Tegal Kepuh Kaba kaba

Kediri Tabanan Pura Paibon Tangkas Kori Agung Ceningan Kangin Lembongan Pura Batu Medeg Besakih Pura Penataran Agung Penatih banjar saba 11 Sep Buda Pon Tulu Pura Catur Buana Sanding Tampaksiring 12 Sep Wrespati Wage Tolu Pura Peninjoan Besakih 18 Sep Buda Kliwon Gumbreg Pura Pasek Gelgel kukuh Marga Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel Dukuh Selemadeg Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel Mambang Selemadeg Tabanan Pura Puseh, Desa Guwang Sukawati Pura Dalem Setra Batu Nanggul Desa Swana Nusa Penida Pura Dadia Agung Pasek Gelgel Ketewel 19 Sep Purnama Sasih Ketiga Pura Gunung Sari Lombok Pura Kawitan Arya Gajah Para Tianyar Kubu Karangasem Pura Pedharman Arya Telabah Besakih Pura Bukit Mentik Gunung Lebah Desa Batur kintamani Pura Dadia Agung Pasek Salahin Desa Suwat Gianyar 25 Sep Buda Paing Wariga Pura Pasek Gaduh Kayubihi Bangli 28 Sep Hari Tumpek Uduh Pura puseh, desa Desa Batuan Sukawati Pura Pasek Bendesa Desa Kekeran Mengwi Pura Manik Mas Besakih

Balinese Temple Ceremony Every Temple and Shrine has a special date for it annual Ceremony, or “ Odalan “, every 210 days according to Balinese calendar, including the smaller ancestral shrine which each family possesses. Because of this practically every few days a ceremony of festival of some kind takes place in some Village in Bali. There are also times when the entire island celebrated the same Holiday, such as at Galungan, Kuningan, Nyepi day, Saraswati day, Tumpek Landep day, Pagerwesi day, Tumpek Wayang day etc.

The dedication or inauguration day of a Temple is considered its birth day and celebration always takes place on the same day if the wuku or 210 day calendar is used. When new moon is used then the celebration always happens on new moon or full moon. The day of course can differ the religious celebration of a temple lasts at least one full day with some temple celebrating for three days while the celebration of Besakih temple, the Mother Temple, is never less than 7 days and most of the time it lasts for 11 days, depending on the importance of the occasion.

The celebration is very colorful. The shrine are dressed with pieces of cloths and sometimes with brocade, sailings, decorations of carved wood and sometimes painted with gold and Chinese coins, very beautifully arranged, are hung in the four corners of the shrine. In front of shrine are placed red, white or black umbrellas depending which Gods are worshipped in the shrines.

In front of important shrine one sees, besides these umbrellas soars, tridents and other weapons, the “umbulumbul”, long flags, all these are prerogatives or attributes of Holiness. In front of the Temple gate put up “Penjor”, long bamboo poles, decorated beautifully ornaments of young coconut leaves, rice and other products of the land.

Most beautiful to see are the girls in their colorful attire, carrying offerings, arrangements of all kinds fruits and colored cakes, to the Temple. Every visitor admires the grace with which the carry their load on their heads.

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Friday, September 6, 2013

Health

International

Bali News

International

Japan’s radioactive water leaks: How dangerous?

TOKYO — New revelations of contaminated water leaking from storage tanks at the tsunami-ravaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant have raised alarm, coming just weeks after Japanese officials acknowledged that radioactive water has been seeping into the Pacific from the plant for more than two years, The government announced this week that it would contribute 47 billion yen ($470 million) to build an underground “ice wall” around the reactor and turbine buildings and develop an advanced water treatment system. A look at the problem, and the potential risks to fish and the humans who eat them.

A: Experts estimate at least 300 tons every day. And that’s just from one of two major sources: groundwater that flows through contaminated maintenance tunnels and pits on site.

Water with even higher levels of radiation is believed to be escaping through cracks in the basements of the damaged nuclear reactors and their turbines and slowly making its way through the ground to the sea. Exactly how much is unknown. Plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co., or TEPCO, even says there is no clear evidence of any leaks, though it acknowledges that possibility.

Q: That sounds like a lot of water, but the ocean is big. How dangerous is it?

A: The main health concern is the impact on fish near the nuclear plant.

Scientists have long believed that contaminated water was reaching the ocean, based in part on continuing high levels of radioactive cesium found in fish living at the bottom of

Bali Post

the sea. A rise in strontium-90 and tritium levels in the past few months needs to be watched, said Ken Buesseler, a marine chemist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Strontium in particular accumulates in fish bones and remains longer than cesium in fish and the humans that eat them. The fisheries off Fukushima are currently closed.

Q: Why is there so much radioactive water?

A: The 300 tons per day is simply part of the underground water that runs down from surrounding mountains and through the nuclear complex on its way to the sea. In addition, nearly 400 tons of cooling water is pumped into the plant every day to keep the remaining fuel from overheating, and that water eventually spills into the basement. Another 400 tons of groundwater seeps into the basement through cracks, and mixes with the contaminated water.

Water is constantly pumped out of the basements, but some of it escapes through other cracks. Half of the pumped-out water is re-used to

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Miss World must exploit local wisdom

Associated Press Writer

Q: How much radiation-contaminated water is leaking into the sea?

Friday, September 6, 2013

AP Photo/Kyodo News

This aerial photo taken on Aug. 31, 2013, shows the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant at Okuma town in Fukushima prefecture, northeastern Japan. cool the fuel, and the rest is stored in tanks.

Q: What about the leaks in the tanks?

A: So far, that’s a smaller problem, but there are fears it could become more widespread. The largest leak to date was 300 tons, and all the water in the tanks has been treated to remove cesium,

one of most dangerous of the radioactive elements. The plant has more than 1,000 tanks holding 335,000 tons of contaminated water, and TEPCO plans to increase capacity up to 800,000 tons over the next three years.

Q: Is this problem ever going to end?

A: Ice walls aside, the most re-

alistic solution is to purify water to safe levels and release it into the sea. A water treatment unit intended to do that failed during a test run and is being repaired.

The government is planning to fund the development of a more advanced unit over the next two years. There is no technology to remove tritium, however, so that could become a risk if levels continue to rise.

GSK cancer vaccine disappoints in melanoma trial Reuters

REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

The signage for the GlaxoSmithKline building is pictured in Hounslow, west London June 18, 2013.

LONDON - An experimental cancer vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline failed to help melanoma patients in a closely watched late-stage clinical trial, dealing a blow to the high-risk, high-reward project.

Britain’s biggest drugmaker said on Thursday that it would continue with the Phase III trial of its MAGE-A3 therapeutic vaccine to see if it benefited a subset of patients with a particular genetic signature.

The trial has two joint targets, known as co-primary endpoints, looking at both the broad population and a patient subset, so it is possible the treatment will yet prove effective for a small number of people with the deadly skin cancer. It is also being tested in lung cancer.

The vaccine is one of two particularly high-risk developmental GSK products believed by industry analysts to have the potential to become multibillion-dollar sellers. The other is a heart drug called darapladib, designed to fight clogged

arteries in a different way to statins.

In both cases, however, analysts have been wary of modelling firm forecasts of sales, given the above-average risk of failure. GSK stock was down 0.8 percent by 0835 GMT. Citigroup analyst Andrew Baum said that already low consensus expectations for the product are now likely to fall further. He currently forecasts sales of only 149 million pounds in 2018 for the MAGE-A3 vaccine in both melanoma and lung cancer. That figure is about half the industry consensus.

Unlike traditional preventative vaccines, the MAGE-A3 treatment is designed for people with established disease, helping their immune systems to prevent the return of disease after surgery.

Other companies, including BristolMyers Squibb, Roche and Merck & Co, have had some recent notable successes in clinical trials of innovative drugs to boost the immune system, but GSK is still pushing the scientific boundaries with its MAGE-A3 vaccine.

AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim

Muslim men display a banner during a protest calling for the cancellation of Miss World pageant in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013. The organisers of the Miss World beauty pageant in Indonesia insisted Wednesday the show would go on, as Islamic hardline protests began to spread across the country days before the contest starts.

Miss World organisers defend Indonesia pageant

DENPASAR - Miss World 2013 held in Bali is considered positive because it will affect the remarkably increasing domestic economy.

However, the presence of the participants on the island should be encouraged to utilize the developing local wisdom.

“Miss World beauty pageant will give dual economic impact, which can increase the income of Balinese people provided that it’s supported by a variety of activities such as art performances, the use of local labor and local products,” said the academician from the Faculty of Economics, Udayana University, Dr. I Gusti Wayan Murjana Yasa.

He said the world beauty pageant event could provide economic multiplier effect for Bali and Indonesia. “The committee plans to ask the contestants of Miss World to use endek cloth during the quarantine agenda in Bali. Besides, visiting various tourist destinations on the island is also an appropriate measure,” he said.

According to him, the endek cloth was one of Bali’s local products worth introducing to the international community. Aside from the use of endek clothes, the contestants should be served with traditional cuisines. Many of our local products were eligible to be introduced in the Miss World contest in order to provide benefits for our society.

“However, if the beauty pageant event takes advantage of very minimal local products and labor, then it cannot accelerate the income of Balinese people,” he said.

He said the Miss World contest increasingly echoed the reputation of Bali internationally because it could become a means of free promotion. Other than Bali, the reputation of Indonesia as a whole would also be cited to have hosted the beauty pageant by international community. “Moreover, if the implementation can run successfully and safely,” he said.

On the other hand, he said, the contest could become a medium of international cultural development. Miss World beauty pageant also generated a positive impact on the motivation, innovation and creativity of the people of Bali and Indonesia. “The appearance must be arranged in such a way so that the packaging shown by the contestants can respect our culture,” he said.

Meanwhile, police officers looked to have supervised at several strategic locations at the entrances of migrants from outside Bali through the Gilimanuk Harbor, Jembrana and Tabanan County to the city of Denpasar. He revealed it in relation to many rejections against the activities of the Miss World beauty pageant held in Bali and Jakarta. (kmb27)

Agence France-Presse

NUSA DUA - The organisers of the Miss World beauty pageant in Indonesia insisted Wednesday the show would go on, as Islamic hardline protests began to spread across the country days before the contest starts.

Hardliners have started mobilising to protest at the decision to host the contest in Muslim-majority Indonesia, while Islamic clerics and even a government minister have voiced criticism.

After a protest in the capital Jakarta this week, more than 600 demonstrators took to the streets Wednesday in two other major cities on the main island of Java -- Surabaya and Bandung.

“Miss World is an immoral event. If it goes ahead, we will all be punished by God,” one protester shouted to the crowd in Bandung, where some 300 protesters responded with chants of “God is great”.

They brandished banners reading “Do not sully Indonesia with the Miss World event”. In Sura-

baya, some 350 Muslims took to the streets.

But Hary Tanoesoedibjo, head of MNC media group, which will broadcast the pageant and is also the local organiser, defended the contest.

“I can assure you that there is nothing in this event that isn’t in accordance with our culture,” he told reporters on the resort island of Bali, where the contest opens Sunday.

And Budi Rustanto, a member of the local organising body, told reporters in Jakarta: “There is no attempt to exploit the contestants, whether that be through them wearing bikinis, undressing, or measuring the size of body parts.”

The organisers have already

agreed to axe the famed bikini round from this year’s contests, with participants instead set to wear more conservative sarongs, but the move has failed to appease hardliners.

More than 120 contestants have already arrived in Indonesia for the pageant. The final will take place outside Jakarta on September 28.

While most Indonesians in the nation of more than 240 million people practise a moderate form of Islam, a vocal hardline fringe has succeeded in getting events cancelled in the past.

Last year, pop sensation Lady Gaga axed a concert after hardliners threatened to burn down the venue and criticised her for wearing only “a bra and panties”.

AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati

An orangutan named Jacky sits at a Bali zoo in Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia, on its 36th birthday Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013.

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Bali News

Friday, September 6, 2013

International

International

Strict standardization

Only 98 petrol stations in Bali comply with Pasti Pas standards

Denpasar (Bali Post)—

PT Pertamina (Persero) recorded that of the 130 petrol stations in Bali previously holding the Pasti Pas, a service excellence certification issued by Pertamina, up to August 2013 only 98 petrol stations that remained to maintain the predicate.

It was recognized by Branch Marketing Manager of Pertamina for Bali and West Nusa Tenggara, Iin Febrian, recently in Denpasar because of intense prescribed standards. “The number of Pasti Pas tends to constantly fluctuate and does not last permanently. If a petrol station has born a Pasti Pas predicate, but after audited it cannot comply with the standards, then the predicate will be revoked,” he said.

To bear the Pasti Pas certification, he explained, the petrol station should use accurate measurement, provide good service and meet specified physical appearance of the outlet. “So, though having showed a good measurement, but providing poor services, any petrol station can fail in the audit and its certification will be revoked. Poor services can be kindled by lack of standards in smile, greeting and salutation,” revealed Iin. He added that not all retail outlets in Bali applied the Pasti Pas certification program because its physical investment was relatively expensive and should meet strict requirements related to the equipment facilities and human

resources (employees). “Actually, every petrol station with Pasti Pas certification has been audited periodically. Supervision and operator training are provided every week, every month or every 3 months.

They highly depend on the level of the petrol station,” he said.

Though having been audited, he said, cheating individual was sometimes still found. Iin said that it would highly depend on the behavior of each operator. The standardization would be run with the best when the auditor came. After that, they would return to its original behavior. Generally, the fraud was committed by the operator without returning the meter to zero point in the machine. Meanwhile, regarding the calibration of measurement accuracy on the machine was the authority of Metrology Division of the Industry and Trade Agency.

“By and large, the petrol station owners rarely commit fraud because it has something to do with the reputation of petrol station.

Actually, this program does not target the number of petrol stations with Pasti Pas certification, but how the petrol stations with Pasti Pas can retain and maintain their

The police officersis guarding one of the petrol station in Denpasar

services for a longer period, so that the service extended to the society will be automatically the same,” he explained.

Referring to the website of Pertamina, the Pasti Pas certification program is a form of service enhancement initiated by central

office of Pertamina since 2006.

The petrol station of Pertamina with Pasti Pas is the certified petrol station. Quality and quantity of fuel is assured because the petrol station with Pasti Pas has applied more accurate quality and quantity measuring tools and has implemented

IBP/File

stricter monitoring procedures. To ensure an accurate measurement, the petrol stations with Past Pas predicate definitely do an accuracy test on a regular basis with stricter precision of the volume accuracy tolerance limit than the regular petrol stations. (kmb28)

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Singaraja (Bali Post)—

IBP/file

Thousands of devotees of Panji village, Sukasada subdistrict, are walking from the Desa Temple to Segara Penimbangan Temple. They hold a melasti or purificatory rite before the piodalan or temple anniversary in the local Desa Temple next month. (kmb)

Thousands of devotees of Panji village, Sukasada subdistrict, came down to street on Wednesday afternoon (Sep 4). They were dressed in full customary attires while carrying a spear that came with a wooden or bamboo stick. At the end of the spear was tied with red and white cloth.

Aside from carrying a spear, they also carried a number of sanctified effigies as the embodiment of venerated deities in the Desa Temple of Panji customary village and other temples at Panji village.

Devotees walked from the Desa Temple to Segara Penimbangan Temple to perform melasti or purificatory rite. The entourage consisting of thousands of devotees was accompanied by gamelan

music played by local villagers.

The ritual was officiated over by priests in the Desa Temple at Panji village.

A local resident, Made Artama, told that the melasti was held before the temple anniversary at Panji village in the upcoming October 2013.

According to him, he did not know for sure why to bring the spear paraphernalia. Based on explanation from his parents, devotees carried the ritual paraphernalia in the melasti ritual was based on a belief that every melasti, devotees should escort the venerated deities to do purification. Additionally, devotees also carried spear symbolizing the devotional sense to preserve the sanctified paraphernalia placed in the Desa Temple of Panji. The spear brought in the melasti procession by devotees was a sacred weapon in

their home. When holding melasti, devotees were obliged to spiritually purify the spear. “It is like a soldier, we are obliged to maintain what we worship, so that all devotees bring along their spear in the melasti procession,” he said.

Meanwhile, the melasti ritual before the piodalan series to be held in October 2013 coincided with full moon in the fourth month of Balinese calendar. It is meant to purify spiritually all the sanctified effigies at Panji customary village. Before the summit of the temple anniversary at Desa Temple of Panji, it will be commenced with temple anniversary in the Bukit Temple, Taman Temple, Dalem Temple, Segara Penimbangan Temple and ultimately in the Desa Temple of Panji village. (kmb)

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Obama heads into the lion’s den in Russia Associated Press Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia - President Barack Obama is heading into the lion’s den of Russia, confronting Syria’s key patron as well as foreign leaders skeptical of his call for an international military strike against Bashar Assad’s government.

Obama on Thursday begins a two-day visit to St. Petersburg for the Group of 20 economic summit, putting him in the same country as Edward Snowden for the first time since the American fugitive fled to Moscow earlier this year. Both Syria and Snowden have been sore points in an already strained U.S.-Russian relationship, fueling the notion that Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin just can’t get along.

The White House went out of its way to say Obama would not meet one-on-one with the Russian leader while in St. Petersburg. Instead, Obama will meet on the summit’s sidelines with the leaders of France, China and Japan. And he scrapped a planned stop in Moscow ahead of the G-20 and traveled to Sweden instead.

Wrapping up his 24-hour visit to Stockholm Thursday, Obama in the morning met with King Carl XVI Gustaf at Sweden’s Royal Palace in Stockholm.

Still struggling to persuade dubious lawmakers at home on Syria, Obama in Russia will seek to win over world leaders reluctant to get drawn in to yet another U.S.-led sortie in a Mideast nation. Although

Syria wasn’t formally on the agenda for the economy-focused summit, U.S. officials were resigned to the fact that the bloody civil war there surely would overwhelm any talks about global economics, just as it did three months ago when many of the same leaders convened for a Group of 8 summit in Northern Ireland.

In June, it was weapons and ammunition Obama wanted leaders to send to struggling rebels fighting Assad’s regime. Obama’s far more daunting goal now will be to persuade his counterparts to put their own militaries on the line.

In an ironic twist for Obama, the nation hosting the summit is also the nation most forcefully obstructing Obama’s path to an international consensus. Russia has provided critical military and financial backing for Assad and has leveraged its veto power in the U.N. Security Council to keep a resolution condemning Syria from getting off the ground. At the same time, Obama has had little success enticing individual nations to join the effort.

Further complicating Obama’s efforts to present a united front is the raging debate in Congress

AP Photo/Claudio Bresciani

U.S. President Barack Obama waves from Air Force One during his departure at Stockholm-Arlanda International Airport, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013, in Stockholm, Sweden. Obama is traveling to St. Petersburg, Russia, to meet with foreign leaders at the G20 economic summit.

over whether to approve a strike - a debate Obama invited when he abruptly decided Saturday to seek congressional approval amid deep concerns from both parties. Some

lawmakers view Obama as trying to preserve his own credibility after issuing an ultimatum to Assad last year against using chemical weapons.

“My credibility is not on the line. The international community’s credibility is on the line,” Obama said Wednesday at news conference in Stockholm.

Australia’s likely new PM not particularly liked Associated Press Writer

Ahead of temple anniversary at Panji village

Thousands of devotees hold melasti ritual

Friday, September 6, 2013

AP Photo/Tertius Pickard, File

FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013 file photo, Australian opposition leader Tony Abbott speaks to the crowd during the 2013 Coalition Campaign Launch in Brisbane, Australia.

CANBERRA, Australia - Tony Abbott, the political pugilist who leads Australia’s opposition, was once dubbed “unelectable” by a former boss, but as elections near he seems certain to become prime minister.

All it took was an unpopular government bloodied by infighting, relentless cheerleading from media mogul Rupert Murdoch and a multibilliondollar campaign promise aimed at the women he has frequently alienated.

And even then, if Australians voted for prime minister rather than members of Parliament, Saturday’s election probably would be a close race.

The 55-year-old conservative has never been very popular nationally.

His Liberal Party colleagues elected him their leader by just a single vote in 2009. “Polarizing” is an adjective often used to describe him.

He was notoriously branded “a misogynist” and “sexist” by Australia’s first woman prime minister, Julia Gillard, in a speech to Parliament in 2012 that was lauded by feminists around the world. She led her center-left Labor Party to a narrow victory against Abbott at the last election in 2010.

Gillard’s own party ousted her in

June and replaced her with Kevin Rudd, once the most popular Australian prime minister of the past three decades. It appears to have been a vain attempt to boost Labor enough to produce a surprise election victory.

Abbott’s conservative coalition now holds a commanding lead in opinion polls, though the man himself surpassed Rudd in popularity only this week in a poll by Sydney-based market researcher Newspoll. In July, Rudd had been the clear favorite, 50 percent to 34 percent.

The 1,116 voters surveyed last weekend favored Abbott over Rudd by 2 percentage points, but since the poll has a 3-percentage-point margin of error, the question was really too close to call. And only 41 percent said they were satisfied with Abbott’s performance, while 51 percent said they were dissatisfied.

Labor argues that their opponents’ success is due in part to uncritical coverage provided through the fiveweek election campaign by News Corp., which controls 70 percent of Australia’s newspapers. On its front pages, Abbott has been glorified with headlines such as “Australia Needs Tony,” while Rudd has been condemned with a photo illustration

depicting him as Colonel Klink, the bumbling Nazi from the old American sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes.” Murdoch, the chairman of News Corp., has made it clear he’s a fan of Abbott.

“Conviction politicians hard to find anywhere. Australia’s Tony Abbott rare exception,” Murdoch tweeted last month. “Opponent Rudd all over the place convincing nobody.” News Corp.’s nearest rival in Australian newspapers, Fairfax Media, editorialized in more subdued tones that Abbott’s time has come.

“Australia is getting used to the idea of Tony Abbott, prime minister.

He’s not a leader the country has ever embraced. He’s never been liked by the majority,” The Sydney Morning Herald political editor Peter Hartcher wrote last month. “But gradually, almost grudgingly, Australia is coming to think that he may not be desirable, but he is probably acceptable.”

Several recent gaffes do not appear to have harmed Abbott’s prospects.

He was criticized for listing a female candidate’s “sex appeal” as a political asset, then defending himself by calling it a “charming compliment.” He accidentally drew laughter by saying that no one is “the suppository of all wisdom.”

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Bali News

International

International

Friday, September 6, 2013

BUSINESS

Friday, September 6, 2013

5

Balinese artists to join Kagura Festival

BoJ lifts assessment of Japan economy Agence France-Presse

TOKYO - The Bank of Japan on Thursday upgraded its assessment of the world’s number three economy, saying recovery was firmly underway as Tokyo works to reverse years of lumbering growth.

The announcement comes as the government considers whether to go ahead with a planned sales tax hike that many fear could derail any recovery.

Central bank policymakers said “Japan’s economy is recovering moderately” and held off expanding a massive stimulus programme unveiled in April that has been credited with kickstarting growth and pushing down the value of the yen, in turn boosting exporters.

The bank’s bond-buying scheme is a key part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s plan to reinvigorate the long-suffering economy, dubbed “Abenomics”, which also includes huge government spending.

Its comments were a step up from July, when it said the economy was “starting to recover moderately”.

The bank added that overseas economies “as a whole are gradually heading toward a pick-up”, providing a fillip to exporters. The brighter global outlook as well as an ongoing weakening of the yen has helped boost Japan’s shipments to key markets.

It also said key indicators including business investment and consumer demand were looking brighter.

The yen was virtually unchanged after the announcement sitting at 99.71 to the dollar. The unit has lost about a fifth of its value against the greenback since Abe set out his monetary-driven policy at the start of the year.

Abe’s hand-picked bank management team, led by governor Haruhiko Kuroda, was installed six months ago with a mission to join forces with government to reverse Japan’s fortunes.

The bank unleashed its massive bond-buying scheme in April, similar to the Fed’s quantitative easing programme, and set a target of hitting two-percent inflation within two years.

The move was aimed at reversing years of deflation that has hurt the economy by prompting consumers to put off purchases in the hope prices will fall further, which in turn hurt producers.

However, while the bank did not unveil any fresh measures Thursday it hinted that further moves could be in the offing depending on inflation.

We will “examine both upside and downside risks to economic activity and prices, and make adjustments as appropriate”, it said.

The comments come as Tokyo weighs a plan to double sales tax to 10 percent by 2015.

While the plan is seen as crucial to bringing down Japan’s staggering national debt -- proportionately the worst among industrialised nations at more than twice the size of the economy -- some fear higher taxes will hit consumer demand and blunt any recovery.

“It was a reasonable and carefully chosen message,” Yuri Yoshida, an analyst with Standard and Poor’s, said of the BoJ statement.

“Any remarks by the BoJ are quite significant ahead of a decision on the planned consumption tax hike. So, the upward revision of its assessment has a meaning, though it’s subtle.”

AP Photo/Bruce Smith

In this July 25, 2013, photo, Trucks move into the container terminal at the Port of Wilmington in Wilmington, N.C. The International Monetary Fund warned the Group of 20 Wednesday that emerging economies were slowing more than expected and under pressure from US plans to slow its stimulus.

IMF warns G20 of slowing emerging economies

Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON - The International Monetary Fund warned the Group of 20 Wednesday that emerging economies were slowing more than expected and under pressure from US plans to slow its stimulus.

In a report prepared for the two-day summit of the G20 major economies that opens Thursday in St. Petersburg, Russia, the IMF said that recent indicators pointed to stronger growth in several advanced countries, but key emerging economies have slowed.

Since its July report on global developments and risks, the IMF said, growth projections for emerging economies are being revised downward “with risks still to the downside.”

“The impulse to global growth is expected to come mainly from the United States in the near term,” the report said.

“Overall, concerns about a prolonged period of sluggish global growth (a plausible downside scenario) remain elevated.” Brazil, China and India were mainly responsible for the loss of some 2.5 percentage points in emerging economy growth since 2010 levels.

Lower commodity prices also have hit the outlook for many commodity

exporters.

Tightening global financial conditions, spurred by market conviction that the US Federal Reserve is close to reeling back its stimulus program, have added to the pressure on emerging economies.

Since May, when the Fed began signaling it would taper its $85 billion a month bond-buying program if the US economy continued to improve broadly, investors have pulled out of emerging economies seeking higher returns in the US and elsewhere.

The outflow of capital has driven emerging-market currencies sharply lower, from Brazil to India and Turkey.

“Emerging economies were hardest hit following Fed ‘tapering’ remarks,” the IMF said, adding that external financing pressures remained heightened in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Turkey and South Africa.

Emerging economies’ policy responses should be tailored to the specific coun-

try and could include “some intervention to smooth current market volatility” in countries with adequate reserves.

“Fed tapering of asset purchases may trigger exchange rate and financial market overshooting in emerging market economies, while they are trying to cope with rising domestic vulnerabilities and slower growth,” the report said. The IMF predicted global growth to strengthen moderately in 2014 from 2013.

But it warned, “downside risks remain and some have become more prominent.”

“More policy ambition and cooperation are needed to achieve the G20’s shared objectives of strong, sustainable, and balanced growth,” the 188-nation IMF said.

A heavy reliance on unconventional monetary policy in the advanced economies, for example, has had “overall positive effects” and has bought time for economies after the 2008 global financial crisis. But the IMF told G20 leaders that reforms were clearly needed.

“Widespread financial, fiscal, and structural impediments need to be addressed to bolster growth and financial stability.”

IBP/File Photo

Dancers waiting to performed while a tourist taking their picture. A total of 16 artists from Bali provincial District of Gianyar will take part in the international Spiritual Kagura Festival in Hirosima, Japan from October 31 through November 6, 2013, a Balinese arts official said.

Antara DENPASAR - A total of 16 artists from Bali provincial District of Gianyar will take part in the international Spiritual Kagura Festival in Hirosima, Japan from October 31 through November 6, 2013, a Balinese arts official said.

“Representatives of 15 countries are expected to participate in the

festival and the Gianyar’s artists will be part of the Indonesian representa-

tives to the festival,” chairman of the Balinese arts team I Nyoman Carita SST MFA said on Thursday.

According to him, the festival will perform blend of arts, cultures and spiritual aspects from various countries.

The Balinese artists will among other things show several dances

(tari) such as “tari legong, tari baris gede, tari legong Sanghyang and wayang lemah”, he pointed out.

Nyoman, who once studied choreography in University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), has conducted well preparation for the Balinese artists to perform in the festival.

He said further that “Tari Legong Sang Hyang” once lured chief of Hiroshima cultural office when he visited and watched the dances in Ubud, Gianyar some time ago.

Gianyar regent, Agung Bharata, meanwhile, supported the artists participants in the international arts event in Japan.

Hotel occupancy rates up Antara

DENPASAR - The occupancy rates of starrated hotels in Bali rose 1.39 percent to 62.44 percent in July from the previous month.

“The occupancy rate is fairly good in the low season. Occupancy rate of more than 50 percent would be enough to cover operating cost and salaries of employees,” head of the Bali office of the Central Bureau of Statistic (BPS) Gede Suarsa said here on Thursday.

Suarsa said there were 297.878 foreign visitors to Bali in July, up 9.71 percent from the same month last year or 8.06 percent from June this year. Most of the visitors stayed in star-rated hotels, he said.

The highest occupancy rates were recorded by hotels in the regency of Buleleng reaching 68.08 percent and the lowest was recorded by hotels in the regency of Karangasem at

58.08 percent.

Hotels in the regency of Badung, mostly star rated hotels, recorded occupancy rates averaging 63.44 percent, down from 67.79 percent in June.

Other regencies having star rated hotels include Tabanan with occupancy rate of 58.66 percent, Gianyar 63.44 percent, and the city of Denpasar 58.23 percent.

The regencies of Jembrana, Bangli and Klungkung have no star rated hotels, he said.

The three regencies, therefore, are still open for more star hotels, he said, adding other areas are already crowded with hotels.

The Bali chapter of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI) said Bali already has 2,260 units of hotels both star rated and non-star hotels with 56,971 rooms. There are still villa houses also rented to tourists.

IBP/File Photo

Tourists arrived at Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali Island. The occupancy rates of star-rated hotels in Bali rose 1.39 percent to 62.44 percent in July from the previous month.

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Friday, September 6, 2013

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RLD

International

Strike leaves parts of Johannesburg without power

Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Khin Maung Win, File

FILE - In this July 27, 2013, file photo, Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi receives flowers from her supporters upon arrival to attend the opening ceremony of a central library at Kaw Hmu township in Yangon, Myanmar.

Lawmakers uneasy over US-Myanmar military ties

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration wants to restart U.S. defense training for Myanmar that was cut 25 years ago after a bloody crackdown on protesters. While assistance would be nonlethal, some American lawmakers are resisting, concerned Washington is moving too fast in forging ties with a military still accused of attacking ethnic minorities and blocking humanitarian aid.

The administration has rolled back tough sanctions and hosted President Thein Sein, a former junta member, at the White House to reward his moves toward democratic reform, but restoring military ties is particularly sensitive and viewed as one of Washington’s few remaining points of leverage.

The administration, which is looking to boost U.S. influence in Asia, is moving carefully but swiftly. With the backing of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, U.S. defense legal experts last week made their second trip to Myanmar in two months, scoping out what help they can provide on teaching about human rights and the rule of law. And last Thursday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met on the sidelines of a regional conference in Brunei with another former junta member, Lt. Gen. Wai Lwin — the first bilateral meeting between the U.S. and Myanmar defense chiefs in two decades.

Military cooperation was severed after thousands of democracy protesters were gunned down during a 1988 popular uprising in the country also known as Burma, and an arms embargo is still in force. Myanmar has turned to China, Russia and North Korea for defense supplies and training.

But with a quasi-civilian government in place and national elections due in 2015, the Obama administration argues that talking “soldier-to-

soldier” with Myanmar on issues like military justice and military-civilian relations can encourage reform and help the U.S. build ties with a military it knows little about.

The administration has backing from Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. He’s the most influential voice in Congress on Myanmar policy, and in August declared support for “a modest, targeted military-to-military relationship.”

But other lawmakers are against it, sharing the concerns of activists who argue it would give international legitimacy to a military that has waged a brutal campaign displacing 100,000 civilians in northern Kachin state during the past two years of political opening.

“It is far too soon to initiate military engagement between the U.S. and Burma,” Republican Rep. Steve Chabot of Ohio, chairman of a House panel that oversees policy toward East Asia, told The Associated Press.

“The Burmese military not only maintains control over the civilian structures of Burma’s government, but has extended its hand as a perpetrator of human rights violations against the ethnic minorities that are sweeping the country.”

A number of Western nations are already moving ahead. Britain has invited 30 Myanmar officers to a prestigious defense conference. Australia is also pledging basic military engagement to support security sector

reform.

Priscilla Clapp, a former U.S. charge d’affaires in Yangon, says standing on the sidelines doesn’t serve U.S. interests. “We need to reach into the organization of the military and help educate people and expose them to new ideas,” she said.

Before sanctions were applied, the U.S. financed $4.7 million in military sales delivered to Myanmar between 1980 and 1988, and trained 167 officers at American military schools under the International Military Education and Training, or IMET — a program jointly managed by the State Department and Defense Department that helps more than 120 countries.

While the IMET alumni have rarely been movers and shakers in Myanmar’s xenophobic military hierarchy, they include a current vice president and several senior government officials. The State Department contends that has helped create a constituency for reform and closer ties with the U.S. But the Government Accountability Office, Congress’ investigative arm, concluded in an October 2011 report that IMET training plans did not place a priority on human rights.

Because of weak monitoring of the careers of IMET graduates, the report said, it was not possible to demonstrate the program’s effectiveness “in building professionalism and respect for human rights within foreign military forces.”

Large parts of Johannesburg -including the suburb where Nelson Mandela is recuperating following his hospital release -- were without electricity Thursday after hundreds of technicians with the city’s power distributor went on strike. Around 200 technicians at Johannesburg City Power refused to work overtime on Wednesday afternoon, said Louis Pieterse, a spokesman for the company providing power to South Africa’s economic hub.

“They worked during the day and downed tools at 04:00 pm (1400 GMT), saying they won’t work after hours,” Pieterse was quoted as saying by the Sapa news agency. At the start of September, the company introduced evening shifts in an effort to decrease power outages in Africa’s largest economy, which has been facing electricity shortages for years.

International

Friday, September 6, 2013

INDONESIA Outrage in Aceh over school’s genitalia survey

“Unfortunately, there is a certain level of resistance by some employees which has resulted in unlawful work stoppages,” Pieterse said. He said that a court order issued early on Thursday has ordered the technicians back to work, but so far they have not done so.

Power cuts in the city’s western and northern parts caused traffic delays, according to the metro police. The suburb of Houghton, home to Mandela’s residence, was also affected.

Mandela has been receiving intensive care at his home in Houghton since being discharged from hospital at the weekend following a three-month stay. The house has a generator and city contractors delivered a second one late Wednesday, according to local media.

The strike occurs in a tense labour environment, with mass wage stoppages across the country.

Agence France-Presse

Kenya lawmakers to vote on world court pullout Associated Press Writer

Kenyan lawmakers were Thursday to debate pulling out of the International Criminal Court, in an angry snub of The Hague-based tribunal ahead of next week’s trial of the country’s vice-president.

Should Kenya choose to leave the ICC -- the first country potentially to do so -- it will be more of a symbolic vote of defiance and would not affect upcoming trials of the East African nation’s leadership, since legal proceedings have already started.

On Tuesday, Vice-President William Ruto will be in The Hague to face three counts of crimes against humanity for allegedly organising 2007-2008 post-election unrest that killed at least 1,100 people and displaced more than 600,000.

Ruto’s trial comes about two months ahead of that of President Uhuru Kenyatta, who faces five charges of crimes against humanity,

APEC...

From page 1 Her party noted that East Java in the first quarter of this year had been visited by 10.52 million domestic tourists. It was followed by West Java (8.04 million), Central Java (7.55 million), Greater Jakarta (3.32 million) and North Sumatera (2.70 million). “We hope there will be more developed provinces in terms of tourism so that they will also be in great demand, not only by domestic tourists but also by foreign tourists,”

including murder, rape, persecution and deportation.

Both Kenyatta and Ruto have said they will cooperate fully with the court and deny the charges against them.

Also due to appear in The Hague is radio boss Joshua Arap Sang, accused of inciting violence.

View gallery.”

Uhuru Kenyatta (R) and William Ruto (L) after victory …

Uhuru Kenyatta (R) and running mate William Ruto (L) are pictured following his victory in Kenya’s n …

Many Kenyan politicians have branded the ICC a “neo-colonialist” institution that only targets Africans, prompting the debate on a possible departure from the Rome Statute of the ICC. “Any law in this country or internationally like the Rome Statute can be repealed and can be amended,” said Asman Kamama, one of the lawmakers supporting a pull-out.

AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski, right, welcomes Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during a ceremony with military honors in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013.

Thousands of workers hold rally, demanding higher wages Antara

she said.

Mari had confidence the target on the movement of 250 million domestic tourists could be achieved by the yearend. Minister hoped the increasingly many activities during the holiday season would be able to boost the mobilization of domestic tourist in the country. Moreover, the per capita income indicating the growing number of middle-class people, according to her, from year to year kept on increasing. It became one of the drivers of the increasing amount of movement of domestic tourists in Indonesia. (010)

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JAKARTA - About five thousand workers from various unions held a rally in front of the Presidential Palace on Thursday, demanding an increase in their wages and the immediate implementation of the National Health Insurance (Jamkesmas).

The protesters conducted a marathon rally starting from the Indonesian Hotel area in Central Jakarta to the Presidential Palace, where they will centre their action.

The protesters brought banners and gave speeches with their demands to the government.

“Workers are in denial of their low wages and are demanding the government under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to increase the minimum wage standard by 50 percent in 2014,” said a protester.

The protesters are urging the government to revise the eligibility criteria for receiving financial support. This way, 156 million people will be able to receive financial aid, an increase from 86 million. The financial support is part of the government’s promise to compensate the poor, following the rise in fuel price recently.

Some of the protesters are from the Indonesian Metal Workers Federation (FSPMI), the Workers Union Confederation (KSPI), and the Indonesian Labours Union Association (ASPEK).

BANDA ACEH - Indonesia’s education ministry Thursday strongly criticised officials in a small town in Aceh province for asking children to assess the size of their private parts in a graphic school survey.

The health questionnaire, distributed to 11- and 12-year-olds Tuesday at a school in the town of Sabang, contained pictures of genitalia and also asked whether students had experienced erotic dreams.

Nurlina said her 12-year-old son was asked to complete the survey, which showed images of both male and female private parts “from the smallest to the biggest, then asked the students which one most looks like theirs”.

“That’s just indecent,” said the 40year-old, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, adding that she stopped her son from filling in the form and complained to the school.

Officials had planned to distribute the survey to the six junior high schools in the town -- but only got as far as one before the pictures sparked outrage.

The head of Sabang education office,

Misman, insisted the surveys had simply been to assess the health of students.

The official, who goes by one name, said he had no idea about the pictures -- which he described as “too vulgar” -- before parents complained.

He said a similar survey had been distributed last year but it did not contain the pictures.

Ibnu Hamad, a spokesman for the education ministry in Jakarta, said the government regretted the fact students had been asked about their genitals, and such questions were not normal in school surveys.

“It is totally unnecessary because there is no need to measure the size of students genitals for any purpose,” he told AFP. However, the ministry has not yet launched a formal investigation as officials in Jakarta were still trying to get in touch with Misman, he said.

The first page of the survey, a copy of which was seen by AFP, said it was aimed at “understanding your health” and supporting “the teaching process”.

It is particularly surprising that the survey appeared in Aceh, one of the most conservative areas of Muslim-majority Indonesia and the only province in the country the enforces Islamic sharia law.

Islamic organizations against Miss World contest Antara

JAKARTA - A group of 11 Islamic social organizations rejected the plan to hold Miss World contest in Bali saying it is against the national morals and culture.

The organizations grouped in the Friendship Institution of Islamic Mass Organizations (LPOI) announced the statement after a meeting of their leaders at the Nahdatul Ulama office here on Wednesday.

LPOI general chairman KH Said Aqil Siroj said any event especially international events should be viewed from benefits and disadvantages it gives to the national interest.

“Miss World contest has more disadvantages than benefit,” Said Aqil, who is also general chairman of NU. He said Miss World contest is no more than just an extravaganza throwing money around.

“What is certain is it is an extravagant ceremony with no clear benefit.

It is different from Pak Jokowi’s ceremony, which promotes Betawi culture,” he said referring to Jakarta’s Governor Joko Widodo.

General secretary of LPOI Lutfi

A Tamimi said the reason is a hoax that holding the contest in Bali would promote the country.

“The world already knows Indonesia without Miss World contest. Our neighbor rejects Miss World contest, but they (the organizer) even feel proud,” Lutfi said.

LPOI, however, said it would not act as a pressure group to force the cancellation of the event in Indonesia.

LPOI is against any form of violence in voicing its rejection.

Said Aqil said LPOI has no authority to cancel the Miss World contest.

LPOI is only expressing its position and the aspirations of the Muslim communities hoping that the authorities would consider the rejection, he added.

“We would not take to the street.

We just leave to those in authority,” he said.

LPOI groups NU, Persatuan Islam, Al Irsyad Al Islamiyah, Mathlaul Anwar, Ittihadiyah, Persatuan Islam Tionghoa Indonesia, Ikatan Da’I Indonesia, Azzikra, Syarikat Islam Indonesia, Al Wasliyah, and Persatuan Tarbiyah Islamiyah.

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Friday, September 6, 2013

Destination

Sports

International

International

Friday, September 6, 2013

7

Azarenka wins one for younger generation at Open

Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest IBP

TABANAN - Alas Kedaton is situated at Kukuh Village, Marga Subdistrict, or some 4 km from the town of Tabanan. This temple has two kinds of uniqueness.

Firstly, it has four entrances into the temple, namely the entrance from the west functioning as the main entrance, then from the north, east and the south. All the entrances lead to the middle courtyard. Secondly, the courtyard becoming the sanctum sanctorum is even lower than the middle and outermost courtyard. The sanctum is surrounded by a forest becoming the native home to a group of monkeys considered sacred. Besides, there also live a group of flying foxes suspending on the branches of large trees. When they are flying together, it generates a very interesting attraction for domestic and foreign tourists.

Reuters

NEW YORK - Victoria Azarenka struck a blow for the younger generation by beating Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 6-2 6-3 to join a trio of 31-year-olds in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Belarusian, the second seed and runner-up last year, will play unseeded Italian Flavia Pennetta, while defending champion Serena Williams meets Li Na of China in Friday’s semi-finals.

Pennetta reached her first grand slam semi-final on Wednesday by beating longtime friend and Fed Cup team mate Roberta Vinci, the 10th-seeded 30-year-old, 6-4 6-1. On the men’s side second seed Rafa Nadal continued his remarkable 2013 form, improving his hardcourt record to 20-0 with a 6-0 6-2 6-2 hammering of fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

Next up for Nadal is France’s Richard Gasquet, who will be playing in the semifinal stage of a slam for the first time since Wimbledon in 2007. Azarenka is well aware she is battling the ‘old guard’ in last four.

“I’m a baby, what can I say?” she added. “It’s Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, reacts after defeating Daniela Hantuchova, of Slovakia, 6-2, 6-3 in a quarterfinal at the U.S. Open tennis tournament Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, in New York.

amazing to see such great players in the semi-finals.”

The victory moved Australian Open champion Azarenka one step closer to a possible Arthur Ashe Stadium rematch against Williams for the title.

“It’s amazing to see athletes doing so well, their careers longer so fans and themselves can enjoy their careers much better,” she said. “Everybody looks much fitter, really taking care of their body and taking the sport to the next level.”

Robredo had spoiled what would have been the first meeting at the U.S. Open between Nadal and all-time grand slam king Roger Federer after the 31-year-old Spaniard sent the Swiss master packing in straight sets in the fourth round.

Nadal, who has come back from knee injuries that sidelined him for seven months to win nine tournaments including his eighth French Open for his 12th grand slam crown, bounded for joy after steamrolling another opponent at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I think I played my best match in the U.S. Open this year,” said 2010 U.S. Open winner Nadal, who has lost just one set from five matches. “Playing a little bit better every day is great.”

STEEP HILL Eighth-seeded Gasquet booked his long awaited return to the last four of a men’s slam with a 6-3 6-1 4-6 2-6 6-3 upset of fourth seed David Ferrer of Spain. It was the second successive five-setter for the 27-year-old Gasquet, who clinched the concluding set of a marathon fourth-round match against big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic 7-5. Gasquet had lost eight of nine previous matches against Ferrer. The hill could be even steeper against Nadal, who has won all 10 of their professional encounters.

“Rafa, I never beat. Last time I beat him I was 13-years-old,” said Gasquet. “That was the only time I beat him. He’s a good friend of mine. I have nothing to lose.”

AP Photo/Darron Cummings

IBP/File Photo

Nuzman: Time for 2020 bidders to be extra careful

Associated Press Writer

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The man who led Rio de Janeiro’s successful bid to host the 2016 Olympics expects a tight vote between the three 2020 candidates, and has warned bidders that a few misplaced words in the coming days could be decisive.

Carlos Nuzman, the leader of Rio’s bid seven years ago, has told The Associated Press that Madrid, Istanbul and Tokyo bid teams must pay extra attention to everything they do in the lead-up to Saturday’s vote by International Olympic Committee members.

Speaking on the sidelines of the IOC meetings in Buenos Aires, Nuzman said there is no strong favorite among the three, so lobbying must continue. “There will be a very small gap between the winners,” Nuzman said. “It will be close. That’s my felling from what people have been talking.”

Nuzman, now the president of Rio’s local organizing committee, said that at this stage it’s easier for a city to lose the bid than win it, so they must avoid hurting themselves by reaching too far for an extra vote here and there.

“You have to work until the last moment,” Nuzman said. “But you have to be careful with what you say, you have to be careful with how you act and how you try to get your message across.”

In addition to choosing the 2020 host city, the nearly 100 members gathered in Argentina will also elect the successor for IOC president Jacques Rogge — who is leaving after 12 years in charge — and decide whether wrestling, squash or baseball-softball will be added to the games’ sport lineup. The IOC also had its executive board meeting taking place on Wednesday.

Many on the bid campaigns have come to Nuzman asking for help, knowing that what he did seven years ago worked.

“They ask me to give them advice, to give them some guidance,” Nuzman said. “But I have to tell them that I can’t. Especially because we will want to work together with whichever city wins the bid.”

Rio de Janeiro beat Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago in a vote in Copenhagen in 2009. In the final round it beat Madrid 66 votes to 32 to become the first South American city to earn the right to host the games.

AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko

President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge, left, speaks at the presentation of Rogelio Polesello’s sculpture, “Olympic Spirit” in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013.

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Vasco, Corinthians ordered to play behind closed doors Reuters

AP Photo/Fabrizio Giovannozzi

Italian players from left, Christian Maggio, Alessandro Diamanti, and Ignazio Abate warm up during a training session at the Coverciano sports center, near Florence, Italy, Wednesday Sept. 4, 2013 ahead of 2014 World Cup Group B qualifying soccer match between Italy and Bulgaria scheduled for Friday Sept. 6 in Palermo.

Italy aiming to qualify with 2 matches to spare

Associated Press Writer

ROME — For all its success at the World Cup, four-time winner Italy has never qualified with two matches to spare. Yet that’s just what the Azzurri can do if they win their next two qualifiers — both at home — against Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.

Italy holds a four-point lead over Bulgaria atop Group B of European qualifying, with the Czechs five points back in third. Armenia and Denmark are next with six points each and Malta is last with three.

Italy hosts Bulgaria in Palermo on Friday, while the Czechs face Armenia in Prague and Denmark visits Malta. Speculation is swirling that as soon as Italy qualifies, coach Cesare Prandelli will announce that he plans to leave the national team following the World Cup. But nothing is certain yet.

“I’m focused on these matches,” Prandelli said. “Bulgaria is in good physical conditional and historically we have some problems in September. We’ve got to focus on winning these two matches before thinking about the World Cup.” Making matters more complicated is that three key players — Mario Balotelli, Pablo Osvaldo and Riccardo Montolivo — are suspended for the Bulgaria match and two others — Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Barzagli — are injured and will miss both games. And heat

could be a factor in Palermo, the Sicilian capital.

The situation evokes that of Italy’s match against Spain in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup in June. Balotelli was also unavailable for that match, which was played in extremely hot and humid conditions.

While Spain beat Italy on penalties after a 0-0 draw, Prandelli won praise as a master tactician as Italy ran right by the world and European champion for long stretches.

“We’re going to have to do a

good job of controlling the match with our quality in midfield and a lot of running on the flanks,” Prandelli said, recalling how Bulgaria gave his squad trouble in a 2-2 draw in Sofia a year ago.

Like in the Spain match, Alberto Gilardino will likely replace Balotelli at the center of Italy’s attack and Emanuele Giaccherini should be featured prominently in an attacking role on the wing.

Boosted by his strong performance at the Confederations Cup after a season where he often didn’t start at Juventus, Giaccherini recently transferred to Sunderland in the English Premier League.

“The Confederations gained me more respect and a lot of

confidence,” Giaccherini said. “I feel like I’m an important part of this squad.”

If Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon plays in both games, he’ll match Fabio Cannavaro for Italy’s appearance record and pick up his 136th cap on Tuesday in Turin, where he plays his club football with Juventus.

“I’m moderately worried, just like I am before all of these matches that are decisive for qualifying,” Buffon said. “We deserve it at this point for all that we’ve done but it’s not done yet.”

When Italy won the 2006 World Cup, it qualified with one match to spare. But four years ago, Italy needed a 90th minute goal against Ireland to book a trip to South Africa.

Vasco da Gama and Corinthians have both been ordered to play their next four home matches without their own supporters following crowd trouble at their Brazilian championship match last month.

Brazil’s sporting tribunal said that both teams must play their next two home games behind closed doors. For the subsequent two home games, they will only be allowed to sell tickets to supporters of the visiting team.

Trouble broke out at the match on Aug 25 when Corinthians supporters invaded an area reserved for Vasco fans and then fought with riot police at Brasilia’s Mane Garrincha stadium.

Vasco, who are based in Rio de Janeiro and were officially the home team, had decided to stage the game in Brasilia under an agreement with sponsors and were punished for failing to ensure that adequate security was provided.

The Corinthians supporters’ group known as the Gavioes da Fiel (Hawks of the Faithful) blamed the incidents on a “small minority of supporters” and said it had suspended three of its members.

AP Photo/Martin Meissner

Schalke’s new player Kevin-Prince Boateng claps with the fans during the German soccer Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Bayer Leverkusen at the arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013.

Seven World Cup playoff places up for grabs in Africa Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger retires Reuters

Associated Press Writer

LONDON — Former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger says he is retiring from football following a string injury problems. The 31-year-old Hitzlsperger made 52 appearances for Germany, including playing at the World Cup and European Championship.

Hitzlsperger has played for clubs including Stuttgart, Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton during his career.

According to the Suddeutsche Zeitung, Hitzlsperger says “I’ve been sure for the last couple of days. I’m not going to carry on playing.”

CAPE TOWN - Former quarter-finalists Ghana and Senegal are among five countries a point away from clinching a place in the final stage of Africa’s World Cup qualifying campaign as the preliminary group phase concludes this weekend.

Seven groups are yet to be decided with the winners set to join Algeria, Egypt and Ivory Coast in the playoff round. The trio guaranteed top spot in their respective groups in June.

Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia need home draws to ensure they advance but their respective opponents can usurp them with away successes, making for an exciting finale.

Ethiopia must beat the war-ravaged Central African Republic on neutral territory to avoid opening the door to South Africa. They face Botswana, who maintain slim hopes of qualification.

Congo, who take on Niger, and Burkina Faso, who play Gabon, are in a straight battle for glory in their group.

The 10 group winners go into a draw on Sept. 18 for five two-legged playoff matches in October and November, which will determine

Africa’s representatives at the finals in Brazil.

Ghana renew their rivalry with Zambia and, having lost their last two meetings, they are seeking to change their fortunes by hosting the match in the provincial city of Kumasi, where they hope passionate support at Baba Yaro Stadium on Friday will spur them on.

Ghana welcome back Dede Ayew, KevinPrince Boateng and Michael Essien but there are concerns over the fitness of captain and main striker Asamoah Gyan, who was injured in training on Tuesday.

Zambia, who are one point behind the Black Stars in Group D, have to secure an unlikely away win without key Dutch-based striker Jacob Mulenga, who has a thigh injury.

Senegal, hoping to reach the World Cup for the first time since their giant-killing run in 2002, host Uganda in Marrakech, Morocco on Saturday as they are banned from their home stadium. They lead Uganda by one point in Group J. “WHITE DUDE”

Nigeria are two points ahead of opponents Malawi in Group F going into Saturday’s match in Calabar, which has been overshadowed by a

spat between their opposing coaches. Malawi’s Tom Saintfiet complained to FIFA of racism after Nigeria’s Stephen Keshi called him “a white dude who should go back to Belgium”.

The issue, however, looks to have subsided as the pre-match posturing has tailed off.

Samuel Eto’o, who recently joined Premier League Chelsea from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, leads Cameroon as they seek to hold off Libya in Yaounde on Sunday.

Cameroon lead Libya by one point in Group I after their 2-0 defeat by Togo in June was turned into a 3-0 win as their opponents had fielded a suspended player.

Tunisia are favourites to seal top spot in Group B as they lead opponents Cape Verde Islands by two points going into Saturday’s decider in Tunis, where fans will be allowed to attend the game despite recent security concerns.

Ethiopia, who lead South Africa by two points and Botswana by three, will top Group A if they beat the Central African Republic in Brazzaville.

An Ethiopia draw would give South Africa a chance to qualify while a defeat would hand Botswana the opportunity to leapfrog both their rivals should they win in Durban.

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9

Vasco, Corinthians ordered to play behind closed doors Reuters

AP Photo/Fabrizio Giovannozzi

Italian players from left, Christian Maggio, Alessandro Diamanti, and Ignazio Abate warm up during a training session at the Coverciano sports center, near Florence, Italy, Wednesday Sept. 4, 2013 ahead of 2014 World Cup Group B qualifying soccer match between Italy and Bulgaria scheduled for Friday Sept. 6 in Palermo.

Italy aiming to qualify with 2 matches to spare

Associated Press Writer

ROME — For all its success at the World Cup, four-time winner Italy has never qualified with two matches to spare. Yet that’s just what the Azzurri can do if they win their next two qualifiers — both at home — against Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.

Italy holds a four-point lead over Bulgaria atop Group B of European qualifying, with the Czechs five points back in third. Armenia and Denmark are next with six points each and Malta is last with three.

Italy hosts Bulgaria in Palermo on Friday, while the Czechs face Armenia in Prague and Denmark visits Malta. Speculation is swirling that as soon as Italy qualifies, coach Cesare Prandelli will announce that he plans to leave the national team following the World Cup. But nothing is certain yet.

“I’m focused on these matches,” Prandelli said. “Bulgaria is in good physical conditional and historically we have some problems in September. We’ve got to focus on winning these two matches before thinking about the World Cup.” Making matters more complicated is that three key players — Mario Balotelli, Pablo Osvaldo and Riccardo Montolivo — are suspended for the Bulgaria match and two others — Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Barzagli — are injured and will miss both games. And heat

could be a factor in Palermo, the Sicilian capital.

The situation evokes that of Italy’s match against Spain in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup in June. Balotelli was also unavailable for that match, which was played in extremely hot and humid conditions.

While Spain beat Italy on penalties after a 0-0 draw, Prandelli won praise as a master tactician as Italy ran right by the world and European champion for long stretches.

“We’re going to have to do a

good job of controlling the match with our quality in midfield and a lot of running on the flanks,” Prandelli said, recalling how Bulgaria gave his squad trouble in a 2-2 draw in Sofia a year ago.

Like in the Spain match, Alberto Gilardino will likely replace Balotelli at the center of Italy’s attack and Emanuele Giaccherini should be featured prominently in an attacking role on the wing.

Boosted by his strong performance at the Confederations Cup after a season where he often didn’t start at Juventus, Giaccherini recently transferred to Sunderland in the English Premier League.

“The Confederations gained me more respect and a lot of

confidence,” Giaccherini said. “I feel like I’m an important part of this squad.”

If Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon plays in both games, he’ll match Fabio Cannavaro for Italy’s appearance record and pick up his 136th cap on Tuesday in Turin, where he plays his club football with Juventus.

“I’m moderately worried, just like I am before all of these matches that are decisive for qualifying,” Buffon said. “We deserve it at this point for all that we’ve done but it’s not done yet.”

When Italy won the 2006 World Cup, it qualified with one match to spare. But four years ago, Italy needed a 90th minute goal against Ireland to book a trip to South Africa.

Vasco da Gama and Corinthians have both been ordered to play their next four home matches without their own supporters following crowd trouble at their Brazilian championship match last month.

Brazil’s sporting tribunal said that both teams must play their next two home games behind closed doors. For the subsequent two home games, they will only be allowed to sell tickets to supporters of the visiting team.

Trouble broke out at the match on Aug 25 when Corinthians supporters invaded an area reserved for Vasco fans and then fought with riot police at Brasilia’s Mane Garrincha stadium.

Vasco, who are based in Rio de Janeiro and were officially the home team, had decided to stage the game in Brasilia under an agreement with sponsors and were punished for failing to ensure that adequate security was provided.

The Corinthians supporters’ group known as the Gavioes da Fiel (Hawks of the Faithful) blamed the incidents on a “small minority of supporters” and said it had suspended three of its members.

AP Photo/Martin Meissner

Schalke’s new player Kevin-Prince Boateng claps with the fans during the German soccer Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Bayer Leverkusen at the arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013.

Seven World Cup playoff places up for grabs in Africa Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger retires Reuters

Associated Press Writer

LONDON — Former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger says he is retiring from football following a string injury problems. The 31-year-old Hitzlsperger made 52 appearances for Germany, including playing at the World Cup and European Championship.

Hitzlsperger has played for clubs including Stuttgart, Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton during his career.

According to the Suddeutsche Zeitung, Hitzlsperger says “I’ve been sure for the last couple of days. I’m not going to carry on playing.”

CAPE TOWN - Former quarter-finalists Ghana and Senegal are among five countries a point away from clinching a place in the final stage of Africa’s World Cup qualifying campaign as the preliminary group phase concludes this weekend.

Seven groups are yet to be decided with the winners set to join Algeria, Egypt and Ivory Coast in the playoff round. The trio guaranteed top spot in their respective groups in June.

Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia need home draws to ensure they advance but their respective opponents can usurp them with away successes, making for an exciting finale.

Ethiopia must beat the war-ravaged Central African Republic on neutral territory to avoid opening the door to South Africa. They face Botswana, who maintain slim hopes of qualification.

Congo, who take on Niger, and Burkina Faso, who play Gabon, are in a straight battle for glory in their group.

The 10 group winners go into a draw on Sept. 18 for five two-legged playoff matches in October and November, which will determine

Africa’s representatives at the finals in Brazil.

Ghana renew their rivalry with Zambia and, having lost their last two meetings, they are seeking to change their fortunes by hosting the match in the provincial city of Kumasi, where they hope passionate support at Baba Yaro Stadium on Friday will spur them on.

Ghana welcome back Dede Ayew, KevinPrince Boateng and Michael Essien but there are concerns over the fitness of captain and main striker Asamoah Gyan, who was injured in training on Tuesday.

Zambia, who are one point behind the Black Stars in Group D, have to secure an unlikely away win without key Dutch-based striker Jacob Mulenga, who has a thigh injury.

Senegal, hoping to reach the World Cup for the first time since their giant-killing run in 2002, host Uganda in Marrakech, Morocco on Saturday as they are banned from their home stadium. They lead Uganda by one point in Group J. “WHITE DUDE”

Nigeria are two points ahead of opponents Malawi in Group F going into Saturday’s match in Calabar, which has been overshadowed by a

spat between their opposing coaches. Malawi’s Tom Saintfiet complained to FIFA of racism after Nigeria’s Stephen Keshi called him “a white dude who should go back to Belgium”.

The issue, however, looks to have subsided as the pre-match posturing has tailed off.

Samuel Eto’o, who recently joined Premier League Chelsea from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, leads Cameroon as they seek to hold off Libya in Yaounde on Sunday.

Cameroon lead Libya by one point in Group I after their 2-0 defeat by Togo in June was turned into a 3-0 win as their opponents had fielded a suspended player.

Tunisia are favourites to seal top spot in Group B as they lead opponents Cape Verde Islands by two points going into Saturday’s decider in Tunis, where fans will be allowed to attend the game despite recent security concerns.

Ethiopia, who lead South Africa by two points and Botswana by three, will top Group A if they beat the Central African Republic in Brazzaville.

An Ethiopia draw would give South Africa a chance to qualify while a defeat would hand Botswana the opportunity to leapfrog both their rivals should they win in Durban.

10

Friday, September 6, 2013

Destination

Sports

International

International

Friday, September 6, 2013

7

Azarenka wins one for younger generation at Open

Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest IBP

TABANAN - Alas Kedaton is situated at Kukuh Village, Marga Subdistrict, or some 4 km from the town of Tabanan. This temple has two kinds of uniqueness.

Firstly, it has four entrances into the temple, namely the entrance from the west functioning as the main entrance, then from the north, east and the south. All the entrances lead to the middle courtyard. Secondly, the courtyard becoming the sanctum sanctorum is even lower than the middle and outermost courtyard. The sanctum is surrounded by a forest becoming the native home to a group of monkeys considered sacred. Besides, there also live a group of flying foxes suspending on the branches of large trees. When they are flying together, it generates a very interesting attraction for domestic and foreign tourists.

Reuters

NEW YORK - Victoria Azarenka struck a blow for the younger generation by beating Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 6-2 6-3 to join a trio of 31-year-olds in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Belarusian, the second seed and runner-up last year, will play unseeded Italian Flavia Pennetta, while defending champion Serena Williams meets Li Na of China in Friday’s semi-finals.

Pennetta reached her first grand slam semi-final on Wednesday by beating longtime friend and Fed Cup team mate Roberta Vinci, the 10th-seeded 30-year-old, 6-4 6-1. On the men’s side second seed Rafa Nadal continued his remarkable 2013 form, improving his hardcourt record to 20-0 with a 6-0 6-2 6-2 hammering of fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

Next up for Nadal is France’s Richard Gasquet, who will be playing in the semifinal stage of a slam for the first time since Wimbledon in 2007. Azarenka is well aware she is battling the ‘old guard’ in last four.

“I’m a baby, what can I say?” she added. “It’s Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, reacts after defeating Daniela Hantuchova, of Slovakia, 6-2, 6-3 in a quarterfinal at the U.S. Open tennis tournament Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, in New York.

amazing to see such great players in the semi-finals.”

The victory moved Australian Open champion Azarenka one step closer to a possible Arthur Ashe Stadium rematch against Williams for the title.

“It’s amazing to see athletes doing so well, their careers longer so fans and themselves can enjoy their careers much better,” she said. “Everybody looks much fitter, really taking care of their body and taking the sport to the next level.”

Robredo had spoiled what would have been the first meeting at the U.S. Open between Nadal and all-time grand slam king Roger Federer after the 31-year-old Spaniard sent the Swiss master packing in straight sets in the fourth round.

Nadal, who has come back from knee injuries that sidelined him for seven months to win nine tournaments including his eighth French Open for his 12th grand slam crown, bounded for joy after steamrolling another opponent at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I think I played my best match in the U.S. Open this year,” said 2010 U.S. Open winner Nadal, who has lost just one set from five matches. “Playing a little bit better every day is great.”

STEEP HILL Eighth-seeded Gasquet booked his long awaited return to the last four of a men’s slam with a 6-3 6-1 4-6 2-6 6-3 upset of fourth seed David Ferrer of Spain. It was the second successive five-setter for the 27-year-old Gasquet, who clinched the concluding set of a marathon fourth-round match against big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic 7-5. Gasquet had lost eight of nine previous matches against Ferrer. The hill could be even steeper against Nadal, who has won all 10 of their professional encounters.

“Rafa, I never beat. Last time I beat him I was 13-years-old,” said Gasquet. “That was the only time I beat him. He’s a good friend of mine. I have nothing to lose.”

AP Photo/Darron Cummings

IBP/File Photo

Nuzman: Time for 2020 bidders to be extra careful

Associated Press Writer

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The man who led Rio de Janeiro’s successful bid to host the 2016 Olympics expects a tight vote between the three 2020 candidates, and has warned bidders that a few misplaced words in the coming days could be decisive.

Carlos Nuzman, the leader of Rio’s bid seven years ago, has told The Associated Press that Madrid, Istanbul and Tokyo bid teams must pay extra attention to everything they do in the lead-up to Saturday’s vote by International Olympic Committee members.

Speaking on the sidelines of the IOC meetings in Buenos Aires, Nuzman said there is no strong favorite among the three, so lobbying must continue. “There will be a very small gap between the winners,” Nuzman said. “It will be close. That’s my felling from what people have been talking.”

Nuzman, now the president of Rio’s local organizing committee, said that at this stage it’s easier for a city to lose the bid than win it, so they must avoid hurting themselves by reaching too far for an extra vote here and there.

“You have to work until the last moment,” Nuzman said. “But you have to be careful with what you say, you have to be careful with how you act and how you try to get your message across.”

In addition to choosing the 2020 host city, the nearly 100 members gathered in Argentina will also elect the successor for IOC president Jacques Rogge — who is leaving after 12 years in charge — and decide whether wrestling, squash or baseball-softball will be added to the games’ sport lineup. The IOC also had its executive board meeting taking place on Wednesday.

Many on the bid campaigns have come to Nuzman asking for help, knowing that what he did seven years ago worked.

“They ask me to give them advice, to give them some guidance,” Nuzman said. “But I have to tell them that I can’t. Especially because we will want to work together with whichever city wins the bid.”

Rio de Janeiro beat Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago in a vote in Copenhagen in 2009. In the final round it beat Madrid 66 votes to 32 to become the first South American city to earn the right to host the games.

AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko

President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge, left, speaks at the presentation of Rogelio Polesello’s sculpture, “Olympic Spirit” in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013.

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Strike leaves parts of Johannesburg without power

Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Khin Maung Win, File

FILE - In this July 27, 2013, file photo, Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi receives flowers from her supporters upon arrival to attend the opening ceremony of a central library at Kaw Hmu township in Yangon, Myanmar.

Lawmakers uneasy over US-Myanmar military ties

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration wants to restart U.S. defense training for Myanmar that was cut 25 years ago after a bloody crackdown on protesters. While assistance would be nonlethal, some American lawmakers are resisting, concerned Washington is moving too fast in forging ties with a military still accused of attacking ethnic minorities and blocking humanitarian aid.

The administration has rolled back tough sanctions and hosted President Thein Sein, a former junta member, at the White House to reward his moves toward democratic reform, but restoring military ties is particularly sensitive and viewed as one of Washington’s few remaining points of leverage.

The administration, which is looking to boost U.S. influence in Asia, is moving carefully but swiftly. With the backing of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, U.S. defense legal experts last week made their second trip to Myanmar in two months, scoping out what help they can provide on teaching about human rights and the rule of law. And last Thursday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met on the sidelines of a regional conference in Brunei with another former junta member, Lt. Gen. Wai Lwin — the first bilateral meeting between the U.S. and Myanmar defense chiefs in two decades.

Military cooperation was severed after thousands of democracy protesters were gunned down during a 1988 popular uprising in the country also known as Burma, and an arms embargo is still in force. Myanmar has turned to China, Russia and North Korea for defense supplies and training.

But with a quasi-civilian government in place and national elections due in 2015, the Obama administration argues that talking “soldier-to-

soldier” with Myanmar on issues like military justice and military-civilian relations can encourage reform and help the U.S. build ties with a military it knows little about.

The administration has backing from Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. He’s the most influential voice in Congress on Myanmar policy, and in August declared support for “a modest, targeted military-to-military relationship.”

But other lawmakers are against it, sharing the concerns of activists who argue it would give international legitimacy to a military that has waged a brutal campaign displacing 100,000 civilians in northern Kachin state during the past two years of political opening.

“It is far too soon to initiate military engagement between the U.S. and Burma,” Republican Rep. Steve Chabot of Ohio, chairman of a House panel that oversees policy toward East Asia, told The Associated Press.

“The Burmese military not only maintains control over the civilian structures of Burma’s government, but has extended its hand as a perpetrator of human rights violations against the ethnic minorities that are sweeping the country.”

A number of Western nations are already moving ahead. Britain has invited 30 Myanmar officers to a prestigious defense conference. Australia is also pledging basic military engagement to support security sector

reform.

Priscilla Clapp, a former U.S. charge d’affaires in Yangon, says standing on the sidelines doesn’t serve U.S. interests. “We need to reach into the organization of the military and help educate people and expose them to new ideas,” she said.

Before sanctions were applied, the U.S. financed $4.7 million in military sales delivered to Myanmar between 1980 and 1988, and trained 167 officers at American military schools under the International Military Education and Training, or IMET — a program jointly managed by the State Department and Defense Department that helps more than 120 countries.

While the IMET alumni have rarely been movers and shakers in Myanmar’s xenophobic military hierarchy, they include a current vice president and several senior government officials. The State Department contends that has helped create a constituency for reform and closer ties with the U.S. But the Government Accountability Office, Congress’ investigative arm, concluded in an October 2011 report that IMET training plans did not place a priority on human rights.

Because of weak monitoring of the careers of IMET graduates, the report said, it was not possible to demonstrate the program’s effectiveness “in building professionalism and respect for human rights within foreign military forces.”

Large parts of Johannesburg -including the suburb where Nelson Mandela is recuperating following his hospital release -- were without electricity Thursday after hundreds of technicians with the city’s power distributor went on strike. Around 200 technicians at Johannesburg City Power refused to work overtime on Wednesday afternoon, said Louis Pieterse, a spokesman for the company providing power to South Africa’s economic hub.

“They worked during the day and downed tools at 04:00 pm (1400 GMT), saying they won’t work after hours,” Pieterse was quoted as saying by the Sapa news agency. At the start of September, the company introduced evening shifts in an effort to decrease power outages in Africa’s largest economy, which has been facing electricity shortages for years.

International

Friday, September 6, 2013

INDONESIA Outrage in Aceh over school’s genitalia survey

“Unfortunately, there is a certain level of resistance by some employees which has resulted in unlawful work stoppages,” Pieterse said. He said that a court order issued early on Thursday has ordered the technicians back to work, but so far they have not done so.

Power cuts in the city’s western and northern parts caused traffic delays, according to the metro police. The suburb of Houghton, home to Mandela’s residence, was also affected.

Mandela has been receiving intensive care at his home in Houghton since being discharged from hospital at the weekend following a three-month stay. The house has a generator and city contractors delivered a second one late Wednesday, according to local media.

The strike occurs in a tense labour environment, with mass wage stoppages across the country.

Agence France-Presse

Kenya lawmakers to vote on world court pullout Associated Press Writer

Kenyan lawmakers were Thursday to debate pulling out of the International Criminal Court, in an angry snub of The Hague-based tribunal ahead of next week’s trial of the country’s vice-president.

Should Kenya choose to leave the ICC -- the first country potentially to do so -- it will be more of a symbolic vote of defiance and would not affect upcoming trials of the East African nation’s leadership, since legal proceedings have already started.

On Tuesday, Vice-President William Ruto will be in The Hague to face three counts of crimes against humanity for allegedly organising 2007-2008 post-election unrest that killed at least 1,100 people and displaced more than 600,000.

Ruto’s trial comes about two months ahead of that of President Uhuru Kenyatta, who faces five charges of crimes against humanity,

APEC...

From page 1 Her party noted that East Java in the first quarter of this year had been visited by 10.52 million domestic tourists. It was followed by West Java (8.04 million), Central Java (7.55 million), Greater Jakarta (3.32 million) and North Sumatera (2.70 million). “We hope there will be more developed provinces in terms of tourism so that they will also be in great demand, not only by domestic tourists but also by foreign tourists,”

including murder, rape, persecution and deportation.

Both Kenyatta and Ruto have said they will cooperate fully with the court and deny the charges against them.

Also due to appear in The Hague is radio boss Joshua Arap Sang, accused of inciting violence.

View gallery.”

Uhuru Kenyatta (R) and William Ruto (L) after victory …

Uhuru Kenyatta (R) and running mate William Ruto (L) are pictured following his victory in Kenya’s n …

Many Kenyan politicians have branded the ICC a “neo-colonialist” institution that only targets Africans, prompting the debate on a possible departure from the Rome Statute of the ICC. “Any law in this country or internationally like the Rome Statute can be repealed and can be amended,” said Asman Kamama, one of the lawmakers supporting a pull-out.

AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski, right, welcomes Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during a ceremony with military honors in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013.

Thousands of workers hold rally, demanding higher wages Antara

she said.

Mari had confidence the target on the movement of 250 million domestic tourists could be achieved by the yearend. Minister hoped the increasingly many activities during the holiday season would be able to boost the mobilization of domestic tourist in the country. Moreover, the per capita income indicating the growing number of middle-class people, according to her, from year to year kept on increasing. It became one of the drivers of the increasing amount of movement of domestic tourists in Indonesia. (010)

11

JAKARTA - About five thousand workers from various unions held a rally in front of the Presidential Palace on Thursday, demanding an increase in their wages and the immediate implementation of the National Health Insurance (Jamkesmas).

The protesters conducted a marathon rally starting from the Indonesian Hotel area in Central Jakarta to the Presidential Palace, where they will centre their action.

The protesters brought banners and gave speeches with their demands to the government.

“Workers are in denial of their low wages and are demanding the government under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to increase the minimum wage standard by 50 percent in 2014,” said a protester.

The protesters are urging the government to revise the eligibility criteria for receiving financial support. This way, 156 million people will be able to receive financial aid, an increase from 86 million. The financial support is part of the government’s promise to compensate the poor, following the rise in fuel price recently.

Some of the protesters are from the Indonesian Metal Workers Federation (FSPMI), the Workers Union Confederation (KSPI), and the Indonesian Labours Union Association (ASPEK).

BANDA ACEH - Indonesia’s education ministry Thursday strongly criticised officials in a small town in Aceh province for asking children to assess the size of their private parts in a graphic school survey.

The health questionnaire, distributed to 11- and 12-year-olds Tuesday at a school in the town of Sabang, contained pictures of genitalia and also asked whether students had experienced erotic dreams.

Nurlina said her 12-year-old son was asked to complete the survey, which showed images of both male and female private parts “from the smallest to the biggest, then asked the students which one most looks like theirs”.

“That’s just indecent,” said the 40year-old, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, adding that she stopped her son from filling in the form and complained to the school.

Officials had planned to distribute the survey to the six junior high schools in the town -- but only got as far as one before the pictures sparked outrage.

The head of Sabang education office,

Misman, insisted the surveys had simply been to assess the health of students.

The official, who goes by one name, said he had no idea about the pictures -- which he described as “too vulgar” -- before parents complained.

He said a similar survey had been distributed last year but it did not contain the pictures.

Ibnu Hamad, a spokesman for the education ministry in Jakarta, said the government regretted the fact students had been asked about their genitals, and such questions were not normal in school surveys.

“It is totally unnecessary because there is no need to measure the size of students genitals for any purpose,” he told AFP. However, the ministry has not yet launched a formal investigation as officials in Jakarta were still trying to get in touch with Misman, he said.

The first page of the survey, a copy of which was seen by AFP, said it was aimed at “understanding your health” and supporting “the teaching process”.

It is particularly surprising that the survey appeared in Aceh, one of the most conservative areas of Muslim-majority Indonesia and the only province in the country the enforces Islamic sharia law.

Islamic organizations against Miss World contest Antara

JAKARTA - A group of 11 Islamic social organizations rejected the plan to hold Miss World contest in Bali saying it is against the national morals and culture.

The organizations grouped in the Friendship Institution of Islamic Mass Organizations (LPOI) announced the statement after a meeting of their leaders at the Nahdatul Ulama office here on Wednesday.

LPOI general chairman KH Said Aqil Siroj said any event especially international events should be viewed from benefits and disadvantages it gives to the national interest.

“Miss World contest has more disadvantages than benefit,” Said Aqil, who is also general chairman of NU. He said Miss World contest is no more than just an extravaganza throwing money around.

“What is certain is it is an extravagant ceremony with no clear benefit.

It is different from Pak Jokowi’s ceremony, which promotes Betawi culture,” he said referring to Jakarta’s Governor Joko Widodo.

General secretary of LPOI Lutfi

A Tamimi said the reason is a hoax that holding the contest in Bali would promote the country.

“The world already knows Indonesia without Miss World contest. Our neighbor rejects Miss World contest, but they (the organizer) even feel proud,” Lutfi said.

LPOI, however, said it would not act as a pressure group to force the cancellation of the event in Indonesia.

LPOI is against any form of violence in voicing its rejection.

Said Aqil said LPOI has no authority to cancel the Miss World contest.

LPOI is only expressing its position and the aspirations of the Muslim communities hoping that the authorities would consider the rejection, he added.

“We would not take to the street.

We just leave to those in authority,” he said.

LPOI groups NU, Persatuan Islam, Al Irsyad Al Islamiyah, Mathlaul Anwar, Ittihadiyah, Persatuan Islam Tionghoa Indonesia, Ikatan Da’I Indonesia, Azzikra, Syarikat Islam Indonesia, Al Wasliyah, and Persatuan Tarbiyah Islamiyah.

12

Bali News

International

International

Friday, September 6, 2013

BUSINESS

Friday, September 6, 2013

5

Balinese artists to join Kagura Festival

BoJ lifts assessment of Japan economy Agence France-Presse

TOKYO - The Bank of Japan on Thursday upgraded its assessment of the world’s number three economy, saying recovery was firmly underway as Tokyo works to reverse years of lumbering growth.

The announcement comes as the government considers whether to go ahead with a planned sales tax hike that many fear could derail any recovery.

Central bank policymakers said “Japan’s economy is recovering moderately” and held off expanding a massive stimulus programme unveiled in April that has been credited with kickstarting growth and pushing down the value of the yen, in turn boosting exporters.

The bank’s bond-buying scheme is a key part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s plan to reinvigorate the long-suffering economy, dubbed “Abenomics”, which also includes huge government spending.

Its comments were a step up from July, when it said the economy was “starting to recover moderately”.

The bank added that overseas economies “as a whole are gradually heading toward a pick-up”, providing a fillip to exporters. The brighter global outlook as well as an ongoing weakening of the yen has helped boost Japan’s shipments to key markets.

It also said key indicators including business investment and consumer demand were looking brighter.

The yen was virtually unchanged after the announcement sitting at 99.71 to the dollar. The unit has lost about a fifth of its value against the greenback since Abe set out his monetary-driven policy at the start of the year.

Abe’s hand-picked bank management team, led by governor Haruhiko Kuroda, was installed six months ago with a mission to join forces with government to reverse Japan’s fortunes.

The bank unleashed its massive bond-buying scheme in April, similar to the Fed’s quantitative easing programme, and set a target of hitting two-percent inflation within two years.

The move was aimed at reversing years of deflation that has hurt the economy by prompting consumers to put off purchases in the hope prices will fall further, which in turn hurt producers.

However, while the bank did not unveil any fresh measures Thursday it hinted that further moves could be in the offing depending on inflation.

We will “examine both upside and downside risks to economic activity and prices, and make adjustments as appropriate”, it said.

The comments come as Tokyo weighs a plan to double sales tax to 10 percent by 2015.

While the plan is seen as crucial to bringing down Japan’s staggering national debt -- proportionately the worst among industrialised nations at more than twice the size of the economy -- some fear higher taxes will hit consumer demand and blunt any recovery.

“It was a reasonable and carefully chosen message,” Yuri Yoshida, an analyst with Standard and Poor’s, said of the BoJ statement.

“Any remarks by the BoJ are quite significant ahead of a decision on the planned consumption tax hike. So, the upward revision of its assessment has a meaning, though it’s subtle.”

AP Photo/Bruce Smith

In this July 25, 2013, photo, Trucks move into the container terminal at the Port of Wilmington in Wilmington, N.C. The International Monetary Fund warned the Group of 20 Wednesday that emerging economies were slowing more than expected and under pressure from US plans to slow its stimulus.

IMF warns G20 of slowing emerging economies

Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON - The International Monetary Fund warned the Group of 20 Wednesday that emerging economies were slowing more than expected and under pressure from US plans to slow its stimulus.

In a report prepared for the two-day summit of the G20 major economies that opens Thursday in St. Petersburg, Russia, the IMF said that recent indicators pointed to stronger growth in several advanced countries, but key emerging economies have slowed.

Since its July report on global developments and risks, the IMF said, growth projections for emerging economies are being revised downward “with risks still to the downside.”

“The impulse to global growth is expected to come mainly from the United States in the near term,” the report said.

“Overall, concerns about a prolonged period of sluggish global growth (a plausible downside scenario) remain elevated.” Brazil, China and India were mainly responsible for the loss of some 2.5 percentage points in emerging economy growth since 2010 levels.

Lower commodity prices also have hit the outlook for many commodity

exporters.

Tightening global financial conditions, spurred by market conviction that the US Federal Reserve is close to reeling back its stimulus program, have added to the pressure on emerging economies.

Since May, when the Fed began signaling it would taper its $85 billion a month bond-buying program if the US economy continued to improve broadly, investors have pulled out of emerging economies seeking higher returns in the US and elsewhere.

The outflow of capital has driven emerging-market currencies sharply lower, from Brazil to India and Turkey.

“Emerging economies were hardest hit following Fed ‘tapering’ remarks,” the IMF said, adding that external financing pressures remained heightened in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Turkey and South Africa.

Emerging economies’ policy responses should be tailored to the specific coun-

try and could include “some intervention to smooth current market volatility” in countries with adequate reserves.

“Fed tapering of asset purchases may trigger exchange rate and financial market overshooting in emerging market economies, while they are trying to cope with rising domestic vulnerabilities and slower growth,” the report said. The IMF predicted global growth to strengthen moderately in 2014 from 2013.

But it warned, “downside risks remain and some have become more prominent.”

“More policy ambition and cooperation are needed to achieve the G20’s shared objectives of strong, sustainable, and balanced growth,” the 188-nation IMF said.

A heavy reliance on unconventional monetary policy in the advanced economies, for example, has had “overall positive effects” and has bought time for economies after the 2008 global financial crisis. But the IMF told G20 leaders that reforms were clearly needed.

“Widespread financial, fiscal, and structural impediments need to be addressed to bolster growth and financial stability.”

IBP/File Photo

Dancers waiting to performed while a tourist taking their picture. A total of 16 artists from Bali provincial District of Gianyar will take part in the international Spiritual Kagura Festival in Hirosima, Japan from October 31 through November 6, 2013, a Balinese arts official said.

Antara DENPASAR - A total of 16 artists from Bali provincial District of Gianyar will take part in the international Spiritual Kagura Festival in Hirosima, Japan from October 31 through November 6, 2013, a Balinese arts official said.

“Representatives of 15 countries are expected to participate in the

festival and the Gianyar’s artists will be part of the Indonesian representa-

tives to the festival,” chairman of the Balinese arts team I Nyoman Carita SST MFA said on Thursday.

According to him, the festival will perform blend of arts, cultures and spiritual aspects from various countries.

The Balinese artists will among other things show several dances

(tari) such as “tari legong, tari baris gede, tari legong Sanghyang and wayang lemah”, he pointed out.

Nyoman, who once studied choreography in University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), has conducted well preparation for the Balinese artists to perform in the festival.

He said further that “Tari Legong Sang Hyang” once lured chief of Hiroshima cultural office when he visited and watched the dances in Ubud, Gianyar some time ago.

Gianyar regent, Agung Bharata, meanwhile, supported the artists participants in the international arts event in Japan.

Hotel occupancy rates up Antara

DENPASAR - The occupancy rates of starrated hotels in Bali rose 1.39 percent to 62.44 percent in July from the previous month.

“The occupancy rate is fairly good in the low season. Occupancy rate of more than 50 percent would be enough to cover operating cost and salaries of employees,” head of the Bali office of the Central Bureau of Statistic (BPS) Gede Suarsa said here on Thursday.

Suarsa said there were 297.878 foreign visitors to Bali in July, up 9.71 percent from the same month last year or 8.06 percent from June this year. Most of the visitors stayed in star-rated hotels, he said.

The highest occupancy rates were recorded by hotels in the regency of Buleleng reaching 68.08 percent and the lowest was recorded by hotels in the regency of Karangasem at

58.08 percent.

Hotels in the regency of Badung, mostly star rated hotels, recorded occupancy rates averaging 63.44 percent, down from 67.79 percent in June.

Other regencies having star rated hotels include Tabanan with occupancy rate of 58.66 percent, Gianyar 63.44 percent, and the city of Denpasar 58.23 percent.

The regencies of Jembrana, Bangli and Klungkung have no star rated hotels, he said.

The three regencies, therefore, are still open for more star hotels, he said, adding other areas are already crowded with hotels.

The Bali chapter of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI) said Bali already has 2,260 units of hotels both star rated and non-star hotels with 56,971 rooms. There are still villa houses also rented to tourists.

IBP/File Photo

Tourists arrived at Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali Island. The occupancy rates of star-rated hotels in Bali rose 1.39 percent to 62.44 percent in July from the previous month.

4

Bali News

Friday, September 6, 2013

International

International

Strict standardization

Only 98 petrol stations in Bali comply with Pasti Pas standards

Denpasar (Bali Post)—

PT Pertamina (Persero) recorded that of the 130 petrol stations in Bali previously holding the Pasti Pas, a service excellence certification issued by Pertamina, up to August 2013 only 98 petrol stations that remained to maintain the predicate.

It was recognized by Branch Marketing Manager of Pertamina for Bali and West Nusa Tenggara, Iin Febrian, recently in Denpasar because of intense prescribed standards. “The number of Pasti Pas tends to constantly fluctuate and does not last permanently. If a petrol station has born a Pasti Pas predicate, but after audited it cannot comply with the standards, then the predicate will be revoked,” he said.

To bear the Pasti Pas certification, he explained, the petrol station should use accurate measurement, provide good service and meet specified physical appearance of the outlet. “So, though having showed a good measurement, but providing poor services, any petrol station can fail in the audit and its certification will be revoked. Poor services can be kindled by lack of standards in smile, greeting and salutation,” revealed Iin. He added that not all retail outlets in Bali applied the Pasti Pas certification program because its physical investment was relatively expensive and should meet strict requirements related to the equipment facilities and human

resources (employees). “Actually, every petrol station with Pasti Pas certification has been audited periodically. Supervision and operator training are provided every week, every month or every 3 months.

They highly depend on the level of the petrol station,” he said.

Though having been audited, he said, cheating individual was sometimes still found. Iin said that it would highly depend on the behavior of each operator. The standardization would be run with the best when the auditor came. After that, they would return to its original behavior. Generally, the fraud was committed by the operator without returning the meter to zero point in the machine. Meanwhile, regarding the calibration of measurement accuracy on the machine was the authority of Metrology Division of the Industry and Trade Agency.

“By and large, the petrol station owners rarely commit fraud because it has something to do with the reputation of petrol station.

Actually, this program does not target the number of petrol stations with Pasti Pas certification, but how the petrol stations with Pasti Pas can retain and maintain their

The police officersis guarding one of the petrol station in Denpasar

services for a longer period, so that the service extended to the society will be automatically the same,” he explained.

Referring to the website of Pertamina, the Pasti Pas certification program is a form of service enhancement initiated by central

office of Pertamina since 2006.

The petrol station of Pertamina with Pasti Pas is the certified petrol station. Quality and quantity of fuel is assured because the petrol station with Pasti Pas has applied more accurate quality and quantity measuring tools and has implemented

IBP/File

stricter monitoring procedures. To ensure an accurate measurement, the petrol stations with Past Pas predicate definitely do an accuracy test on a regular basis with stricter precision of the volume accuracy tolerance limit than the regular petrol stations. (kmb28)

W

Singaraja (Bali Post)—

IBP/file

Thousands of devotees of Panji village, Sukasada subdistrict, are walking from the Desa Temple to Segara Penimbangan Temple. They hold a melasti or purificatory rite before the piodalan or temple anniversary in the local Desa Temple next month. (kmb)

Thousands of devotees of Panji village, Sukasada subdistrict, came down to street on Wednesday afternoon (Sep 4). They were dressed in full customary attires while carrying a spear that came with a wooden or bamboo stick. At the end of the spear was tied with red and white cloth.

Aside from carrying a spear, they also carried a number of sanctified effigies as the embodiment of venerated deities in the Desa Temple of Panji customary village and other temples at Panji village.

Devotees walked from the Desa Temple to Segara Penimbangan Temple to perform melasti or purificatory rite. The entourage consisting of thousands of devotees was accompanied by gamelan

music played by local villagers.

The ritual was officiated over by priests in the Desa Temple at Panji village.

A local resident, Made Artama, told that the melasti was held before the temple anniversary at Panji village in the upcoming October 2013.

According to him, he did not know for sure why to bring the spear paraphernalia. Based on explanation from his parents, devotees carried the ritual paraphernalia in the melasti ritual was based on a belief that every melasti, devotees should escort the venerated deities to do purification. Additionally, devotees also carried spear symbolizing the devotional sense to preserve the sanctified paraphernalia placed in the Desa Temple of Panji. The spear brought in the melasti procession by devotees was a sacred weapon in

their home. When holding melasti, devotees were obliged to spiritually purify the spear. “It is like a soldier, we are obliged to maintain what we worship, so that all devotees bring along their spear in the melasti procession,” he said.

Meanwhile, the melasti ritual before the piodalan series to be held in October 2013 coincided with full moon in the fourth month of Balinese calendar. It is meant to purify spiritually all the sanctified effigies at Panji customary village. Before the summit of the temple anniversary at Desa Temple of Panji, it will be commenced with temple anniversary in the Bukit Temple, Taman Temple, Dalem Temple, Segara Penimbangan Temple and ultimately in the Desa Temple of Panji village. (kmb)

RLD

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Obama heads into the lion’s den in Russia Associated Press Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia - President Barack Obama is heading into the lion’s den of Russia, confronting Syria’s key patron as well as foreign leaders skeptical of his call for an international military strike against Bashar Assad’s government.

Obama on Thursday begins a two-day visit to St. Petersburg for the Group of 20 economic summit, putting him in the same country as Edward Snowden for the first time since the American fugitive fled to Moscow earlier this year. Both Syria and Snowden have been sore points in an already strained U.S.-Russian relationship, fueling the notion that Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin just can’t get along.

The White House went out of its way to say Obama would not meet one-on-one with the Russian leader while in St. Petersburg. Instead, Obama will meet on the summit’s sidelines with the leaders of France, China and Japan. And he scrapped a planned stop in Moscow ahead of the G-20 and traveled to Sweden instead.

Wrapping up his 24-hour visit to Stockholm Thursday, Obama in the morning met with King Carl XVI Gustaf at Sweden’s Royal Palace in Stockholm.

Still struggling to persuade dubious lawmakers at home on Syria, Obama in Russia will seek to win over world leaders reluctant to get drawn in to yet another U.S.-led sortie in a Mideast nation. Although

Syria wasn’t formally on the agenda for the economy-focused summit, U.S. officials were resigned to the fact that the bloody civil war there surely would overwhelm any talks about global economics, just as it did three months ago when many of the same leaders convened for a Group of 8 summit in Northern Ireland.

In June, it was weapons and ammunition Obama wanted leaders to send to struggling rebels fighting Assad’s regime. Obama’s far more daunting goal now will be to persuade his counterparts to put their own militaries on the line.

In an ironic twist for Obama, the nation hosting the summit is also the nation most forcefully obstructing Obama’s path to an international consensus. Russia has provided critical military and financial backing for Assad and has leveraged its veto power in the U.N. Security Council to keep a resolution condemning Syria from getting off the ground. At the same time, Obama has had little success enticing individual nations to join the effort.

Further complicating Obama’s efforts to present a united front is the raging debate in Congress

AP Photo/Claudio Bresciani

U.S. President Barack Obama waves from Air Force One during his departure at Stockholm-Arlanda International Airport, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013, in Stockholm, Sweden. Obama is traveling to St. Petersburg, Russia, to meet with foreign leaders at the G20 economic summit.

over whether to approve a strike - a debate Obama invited when he abruptly decided Saturday to seek congressional approval amid deep concerns from both parties. Some

lawmakers view Obama as trying to preserve his own credibility after issuing an ultimatum to Assad last year against using chemical weapons.

“My credibility is not on the line. The international community’s credibility is on the line,” Obama said Wednesday at news conference in Stockholm.

Australia’s likely new PM not particularly liked Associated Press Writer

Ahead of temple anniversary at Panji village

Thousands of devotees hold melasti ritual

Friday, September 6, 2013

AP Photo/Tertius Pickard, File

FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013 file photo, Australian opposition leader Tony Abbott speaks to the crowd during the 2013 Coalition Campaign Launch in Brisbane, Australia.

CANBERRA, Australia - Tony Abbott, the political pugilist who leads Australia’s opposition, was once dubbed “unelectable” by a former boss, but as elections near he seems certain to become prime minister.

All it took was an unpopular government bloodied by infighting, relentless cheerleading from media mogul Rupert Murdoch and a multibilliondollar campaign promise aimed at the women he has frequently alienated.

And even then, if Australians voted for prime minister rather than members of Parliament, Saturday’s election probably would be a close race.

The 55-year-old conservative has never been very popular nationally.

His Liberal Party colleagues elected him their leader by just a single vote in 2009. “Polarizing” is an adjective often used to describe him.

He was notoriously branded “a misogynist” and “sexist” by Australia’s first woman prime minister, Julia Gillard, in a speech to Parliament in 2012 that was lauded by feminists around the world. She led her center-left Labor Party to a narrow victory against Abbott at the last election in 2010.

Gillard’s own party ousted her in

June and replaced her with Kevin Rudd, once the most popular Australian prime minister of the past three decades. It appears to have been a vain attempt to boost Labor enough to produce a surprise election victory.

Abbott’s conservative coalition now holds a commanding lead in opinion polls, though the man himself surpassed Rudd in popularity only this week in a poll by Sydney-based market researcher Newspoll. In July, Rudd had been the clear favorite, 50 percent to 34 percent.

The 1,116 voters surveyed last weekend favored Abbott over Rudd by 2 percentage points, but since the poll has a 3-percentage-point margin of error, the question was really too close to call. And only 41 percent said they were satisfied with Abbott’s performance, while 51 percent said they were dissatisfied.

Labor argues that their opponents’ success is due in part to uncritical coverage provided through the fiveweek election campaign by News Corp., which controls 70 percent of Australia’s newspapers. On its front pages, Abbott has been glorified with headlines such as “Australia Needs Tony,” while Rudd has been condemned with a photo illustration

depicting him as Colonel Klink, the bumbling Nazi from the old American sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes.” Murdoch, the chairman of News Corp., has made it clear he’s a fan of Abbott.

“Conviction politicians hard to find anywhere. Australia’s Tony Abbott rare exception,” Murdoch tweeted last month. “Opponent Rudd all over the place convincing nobody.” News Corp.’s nearest rival in Australian newspapers, Fairfax Media, editorialized in more subdued tones that Abbott’s time has come.

“Australia is getting used to the idea of Tony Abbott, prime minister.

He’s not a leader the country has ever embraced. He’s never been liked by the majority,” The Sydney Morning Herald political editor Peter Hartcher wrote last month. “But gradually, almost grudgingly, Australia is coming to think that he may not be desirable, but he is probably acceptable.”

Several recent gaffes do not appear to have harmed Abbott’s prospects.

He was criticized for listing a female candidate’s “sex appeal” as a political asset, then defending himself by calling it a “charming compliment.” He accidentally drew laughter by saying that no one is “the suppository of all wisdom.”

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Friday, September 6, 2013

Health

International

Bali News

International

Japan’s radioactive water leaks: How dangerous?

TOKYO — New revelations of contaminated water leaking from storage tanks at the tsunami-ravaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant have raised alarm, coming just weeks after Japanese officials acknowledged that radioactive water has been seeping into the Pacific from the plant for more than two years, The government announced this week that it would contribute 47 billion yen ($470 million) to build an underground “ice wall” around the reactor and turbine buildings and develop an advanced water treatment system. A look at the problem, and the potential risks to fish and the humans who eat them.

A: Experts estimate at least 300 tons every day. And that’s just from one of two major sources: groundwater that flows through contaminated maintenance tunnels and pits on site.

Water with even higher levels of radiation is believed to be escaping through cracks in the basements of the damaged nuclear reactors and their turbines and slowly making its way through the ground to the sea. Exactly how much is unknown. Plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co., or TEPCO, even says there is no clear evidence of any leaks, though it acknowledges that possibility.

Q: That sounds like a lot of water, but the ocean is big. How dangerous is it?

A: The main health concern is the impact on fish near the nuclear plant.

Scientists have long believed that contaminated water was reaching the ocean, based in part on continuing high levels of radioactive cesium found in fish living at the bottom of

Bali Post

the sea. A rise in strontium-90 and tritium levels in the past few months needs to be watched, said Ken Buesseler, a marine chemist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Strontium in particular accumulates in fish bones and remains longer than cesium in fish and the humans that eat them. The fisheries off Fukushima are currently closed.

Q: Why is there so much radioactive water?

A: The 300 tons per day is simply part of the underground water that runs down from surrounding mountains and through the nuclear complex on its way to the sea. In addition, nearly 400 tons of cooling water is pumped into the plant every day to keep the remaining fuel from overheating, and that water eventually spills into the basement. Another 400 tons of groundwater seeps into the basement through cracks, and mixes with the contaminated water.

Water is constantly pumped out of the basements, but some of it escapes through other cracks. Half of the pumped-out water is re-used to

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Miss World must exploit local wisdom

Associated Press Writer

Q: How much radiation-contaminated water is leaking into the sea?

Friday, September 6, 2013

AP Photo/Kyodo News

This aerial photo taken on Aug. 31, 2013, shows the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant at Okuma town in Fukushima prefecture, northeastern Japan. cool the fuel, and the rest is stored in tanks.

Q: What about the leaks in the tanks?

A: So far, that’s a smaller problem, but there are fears it could become more widespread. The largest leak to date was 300 tons, and all the water in the tanks has been treated to remove cesium,

one of most dangerous of the radioactive elements. The plant has more than 1,000 tanks holding 335,000 tons of contaminated water, and TEPCO plans to increase capacity up to 800,000 tons over the next three years.

Q: Is this problem ever going to end?

A: Ice walls aside, the most re-

alistic solution is to purify water to safe levels and release it into the sea. A water treatment unit intended to do that failed during a test run and is being repaired.

The government is planning to fund the development of a more advanced unit over the next two years. There is no technology to remove tritium, however, so that could become a risk if levels continue to rise.

GSK cancer vaccine disappoints in melanoma trial Reuters

REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

The signage for the GlaxoSmithKline building is pictured in Hounslow, west London June 18, 2013.

LONDON - An experimental cancer vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline failed to help melanoma patients in a closely watched late-stage clinical trial, dealing a blow to the high-risk, high-reward project.

Britain’s biggest drugmaker said on Thursday that it would continue with the Phase III trial of its MAGE-A3 therapeutic vaccine to see if it benefited a subset of patients with a particular genetic signature.

The trial has two joint targets, known as co-primary endpoints, looking at both the broad population and a patient subset, so it is possible the treatment will yet prove effective for a small number of people with the deadly skin cancer. It is also being tested in lung cancer.

The vaccine is one of two particularly high-risk developmental GSK products believed by industry analysts to have the potential to become multibillion-dollar sellers. The other is a heart drug called darapladib, designed to fight clogged

arteries in a different way to statins.

In both cases, however, analysts have been wary of modelling firm forecasts of sales, given the above-average risk of failure. GSK stock was down 0.8 percent by 0835 GMT. Citigroup analyst Andrew Baum said that already low consensus expectations for the product are now likely to fall further. He currently forecasts sales of only 149 million pounds in 2018 for the MAGE-A3 vaccine in both melanoma and lung cancer. That figure is about half the industry consensus.

Unlike traditional preventative vaccines, the MAGE-A3 treatment is designed for people with established disease, helping their immune systems to prevent the return of disease after surgery.

Other companies, including BristolMyers Squibb, Roche and Merck & Co, have had some recent notable successes in clinical trials of innovative drugs to boost the immune system, but GSK is still pushing the scientific boundaries with its MAGE-A3 vaccine.

AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim

Muslim men display a banner during a protest calling for the cancellation of Miss World pageant in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013. The organisers of the Miss World beauty pageant in Indonesia insisted Wednesday the show would go on, as Islamic hardline protests began to spread across the country days before the contest starts.

Miss World organisers defend Indonesia pageant

DENPASAR - Miss World 2013 held in Bali is considered positive because it will affect the remarkably increasing domestic economy.

However, the presence of the participants on the island should be encouraged to utilize the developing local wisdom.

“Miss World beauty pageant will give dual economic impact, which can increase the income of Balinese people provided that it’s supported by a variety of activities such as art performances, the use of local labor and local products,” said the academician from the Faculty of Economics, Udayana University, Dr. I Gusti Wayan Murjana Yasa.

He said the world beauty pageant event could provide economic multiplier effect for Bali and Indonesia. “The committee plans to ask the contestants of Miss World to use endek cloth during the quarantine agenda in Bali. Besides, visiting various tourist destinations on the island is also an appropriate measure,” he said.

According to him, the endek cloth was one of Bali’s local products worth introducing to the international community. Aside from the use of endek clothes, the contestants should be served with traditional cuisines. Many of our local products were eligible to be introduced in the Miss World contest in order to provide benefits for our society.

“However, if the beauty pageant event takes advantage of very minimal local products and labor, then it cannot accelerate the income of Balinese people,” he said.

He said the Miss World contest increasingly echoed the reputation of Bali internationally because it could become a means of free promotion. Other than Bali, the reputation of Indonesia as a whole would also be cited to have hosted the beauty pageant by international community. “Moreover, if the implementation can run successfully and safely,” he said.

On the other hand, he said, the contest could become a medium of international cultural development. Miss World beauty pageant also generated a positive impact on the motivation, innovation and creativity of the people of Bali and Indonesia. “The appearance must be arranged in such a way so that the packaging shown by the contestants can respect our culture,” he said.

Meanwhile, police officers looked to have supervised at several strategic locations at the entrances of migrants from outside Bali through the Gilimanuk Harbor, Jembrana and Tabanan County to the city of Denpasar. He revealed it in relation to many rejections against the activities of the Miss World beauty pageant held in Bali and Jakarta. (kmb27)

Agence France-Presse

NUSA DUA - The organisers of the Miss World beauty pageant in Indonesia insisted Wednesday the show would go on, as Islamic hardline protests began to spread across the country days before the contest starts.

Hardliners have started mobilising to protest at the decision to host the contest in Muslim-majority Indonesia, while Islamic clerics and even a government minister have voiced criticism.

After a protest in the capital Jakarta this week, more than 600 demonstrators took to the streets Wednesday in two other major cities on the main island of Java -- Surabaya and Bandung.

“Miss World is an immoral event. If it goes ahead, we will all be punished by God,” one protester shouted to the crowd in Bandung, where some 300 protesters responded with chants of “God is great”.

They brandished banners reading “Do not sully Indonesia with the Miss World event”. In Sura-

baya, some 350 Muslims took to the streets.

But Hary Tanoesoedibjo, head of MNC media group, which will broadcast the pageant and is also the local organiser, defended the contest.

“I can assure you that there is nothing in this event that isn’t in accordance with our culture,” he told reporters on the resort island of Bali, where the contest opens Sunday.

And Budi Rustanto, a member of the local organising body, told reporters in Jakarta: “There is no attempt to exploit the contestants, whether that be through them wearing bikinis, undressing, or measuring the size of body parts.”

The organisers have already

agreed to axe the famed bikini round from this year’s contests, with participants instead set to wear more conservative sarongs, but the move has failed to appease hardliners.

More than 120 contestants have already arrived in Indonesia for the pageant. The final will take place outside Jakarta on September 28.

While most Indonesians in the nation of more than 240 million people practise a moderate form of Islam, a vocal hardline fringe has succeeded in getting events cancelled in the past.

Last year, pop sensation Lady Gaga axed a concert after hardliners threatened to burn down the venue and criticised her for wearing only “a bra and panties”.

AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati

An orangutan named Jacky sits at a Bali zoo in Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia, on its 36th birthday Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013.

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International

Friday, September 6, 2013

Bali News

IBP/File

Irrigation channel flattened, subak members protest Bangli (Bali Post)—

Waterboom development was protested again by local subak members. It was triggered by the irrigation channel at the surrounding area flattened to be used as the passage of motor cross of the landowner. As a result, the flow of water leading to paddy field of the subak members was increasingly narrowed and very detrimental to subak members.

Before some chiefs of subak organizations and subak members, Chief of Subak Tegallalang, Sang Ketut Rencana, said he was visited by local subak members. Their arrival was to report the backfill against the irrigation channel of subak around the Waterboom project site. As a result, the water flow received by the subak at the downstream was turning smaller. It was certainly very detrimental to the paddy field owners at the downstream. After checking in person, it was true if the embankment of rice field around the site was flattened to the ground.

Meanwhile, in a meeting coinciding with the ritual of welcoming water (mapag toya) at the Tamansari dam, Wednesday (Sep 4), the Chief of Subak Palang, Nengah Wirta, said that so far the construction of water recreational park lacked of coordination. Supposedly, before the development process, the project owner doubling as people’s representative should first make coordination with chiefs of local subak organizations. So, any small complaints could be directly addressed.

As a matter of fact, the subak members around the project site did not question about

the development provided that its operations would not taken advantage of the water of subak and did not interfere with the other agricultural land.

Related to that matter, Chief of Subak Sidembunut, Jro Mangku Sudana, claimed to have not known anything about the water embankment flattened. “I have not known if there is any damage because I have no time to see it,” said Mangku Sudana, accompanied by subgroup head of Tegallalang, Chief of Subak Gede Tampedeha Wayan Lanus and a number of other residents. He promised to deliver it to the project owner. In addition, he also confirmed that the water boom would not be going to use the water of subak. “It is said the project will not use the water of subak, but the water of Municipal Waterworks (PDAM),” he said.

Meanwhile, in responding to the protest of the subak members, the project owner said its party would immediately repair the irrigation channel that had been leveled to the ground.

To clarify the problems occurred all this time, the project owner also promised to conduct a face-to-face meeting with residents. (ina)

Made Sedana Yoga, a port supervisor of the Klungkung Transportation, Communications and Informatics Agency, Wednesday. However, Sedana Yoga said the crossing was back to normal on Wednesday, so the accumulated goods at the port warehouse could be transported.

“However, the crossing was once postponed (Wednesday—Ed) from leaving normally at 08:00 to 09:30 a.m. as the waves were still high in the morning,” he said.

While at other location, the bad weather also made hundreds of residents that normally collected mosaic stones on the coast were also disturbed. As seen on Klotok Beach, hundreds of residents were forced to be disappointed because the usual location of collecting mosaic stones had been swept by tidal waves. Similar conditions also appeared at the traditional ports where they chose to help their relatives becoming a porter to carry goods in the warehouse so they were quickly transported.

He added that bad weather often took place on certain days like on that day, full moon or new moon. “Accidentally, today is new moon, so the waves are high enough accompanied by strong winds,” he said. However, according to him, the condition did not last long. Starting that day, he said the weather would definitely be back to normal and the crossing activity could also run as usual. (kmb31)

Wanted for 11 days, husband of meth bookie arrested Amlapura (Bali Post)—

I Gede Mekel, 41, was finally arrested by drug criminal detective of Karangasem Police after being put on wanted list for 11 days. Mekel doubling as hamlet chief of Cutcut, Ban village, Kubu, Karangasem, was arrested on Tuesday night (Sep 3) at the verge of Jalan Prof. IB Mantra at Tangtu Kesiman, Denpasar.

He was chased after by police because his wife Ni Ketut Sutini, 35, admitted that her husband was involved in the methamphetamine (meth) business. Sutini said she was given meth by her husband Gede Mekel. This mother of four children admitted not to know where her husband obtained the meth. By the suspect Sutini, the mother of shoulder-length hair dyed blonde and having tattoo on her right calf, the meth spindle was divided into smaller packages with retail price at IDR 300,000 and IDR 500,000.

The raid was made when a meth party was held where one of the suspects getting involved was arrested after purchasing a meth package at IDR 300,000 under the name of Komang Artika, 20. At the time of

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IBP

A boat runs aground, crossing service disturbed

The waterboom project in Bangli Regency

Friday, September 6, 2013

Discovery Hotel welcomes new PR Manager

Adverse weather

Semarapura (Bali Post)— Again, the adverse weather condition in the Klungkung waters interrupted the traffic of crossing service at three traditional ports in Kusamba. As a result, the groceries to be ferried to Nusa Penida accumulated in the port warehouses. Even, an 18-ton wooden boat ran aground due to rolled by tidal waves.

A porter at the Tribuana traditional port, Kusamba, Ketut Nada, said on Wednesday (Sep 4) the Satrio Sejati boat with four outboard engines ran aground early when bad weather occurred on Monday morning around 01:00 a.m.

At that time, the boat was being parked at coastal area. The rolls of waves broke the rope used to tie the boat. As a result, the boat almost capsized at the Tribuana traditional port, Kusamba. After the incident, the waves at the local waters were getting higher in the morning. Thus, the port was closed for the day. Other than Tribuana port, the other traditional ports like the Banjar Bias and Kampong Kusamba were also closed.

As a result, the groceries such as rice, bottled water, eggs, medicines and other basic needs accumulated in the warehouse at the respective traditional port. Not only that, a number of building materials such as cement, concrete bricks, earthen bricks, sand and others were suspended in the port area. “The boat does not dare to cross as the waves are very high at the time,” said

Activities

International

raid, aside from arresting two suspects and two witnesses, police also seized evidence including the cash of Sutini admitted as the result of the transaction valued at IDR 23.5 million, 74 packages of meth, a bottle connected to pipette alleged to be a tool used to break the meth spindle into smaller packages and were then wrapped in paper as well as cellular phone recognized by Sutini as the property of a buyer that had not paid in full.

Mekel was arrested without resistance.

From his confession, the police officers participating in the arrest said the beefy man was about to stop a truck. He admitted to be about to return to Karangasem. When confirmed last Wednesday in relation to the confession of her wife that Mekel was also involved in the meth business, he still kept silent. He looked sluggish and got more sleeps in the guest chair of the Chief of Drug Detective Unit, Wayan Merta. Meanwhile, his wife Sutini detained in the Karangasem Police seemed to cry when her husband was said to have been arrested. She admitted to have not met her husband. (013)

 Founder : K.Nadha,  General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti  Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Yudi Winanto Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subrata, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan. Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan. NTB: Agus Talino, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto.  Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi.  Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

KUTA – Luxury five star beachfront resort, Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotelis welcoming the newest addition to its Sales and Marketing Department, Mirah Marhaendra as Public Relations Manager.

A native Balinese, Mirah spent her college years and developed her career as a hotelier in the United States. Upon returning to Bali, she took home her international experience to gain exciting posts at luxury hotels in Legian and Nusa Dua areas.

Her appointment signifies a dynamic shift for Public Relations at Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, as it looks to reposition itself as a leading destination resort. With a strong focus and experience in marketing and public relations, Mirah will strengthen the coverage and engage local and international relations from strategic source market.

“We believe with her international exposure and extensive knowledge on Bali’s hospitality industry will bring significant contribution to the brand awareness and engagements of the international market,” said Alice Matulessy, Director of Sales & Marketing Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel.

IBP/Courtesy of Discovery Hotel

Calendar Event for August 24 through September 28, 2013 24 Aug Purnama Sasih Kawulu & Tumpek Landep Pura Mutering Jagat Dalem Sidakarya Desa Adat Sidakarya Denpasar Pura Pasek Gelgel-Pedungan Denpasar Selatan Pura Agung Pasek Tangguntiti Kaler Tabanan Pura Agung Pasek Selemadeg Tabanan Pura Pasek Tangkas Kediri Tabanan Pura Kerta Banyuninng Barat Buleleng Pura Dalem Tenggaling -Sengguan Singapadu Pura Kawitan Wangbang Pinatih Peguyangan Singaraja Pura Bujangga Waisnawa Tegalcangkring Tabanan Pura Taman Desa Bubunan Seririt Buleleng Pura Penataran Pande Dalem Batur Jati Banjar Pandean Mengwi Pura Dalem Pingit Banjar Tarokaja Tegalalang Pura Dadia Pasek Gelgel-Gobleg Desa Selat Sukasada Buleleng Pura Ida Ratu Pande Besakih Pura Penataran Agung Pinatih Tulikup Banjar Menak Tulikup Gianyar Pura Penataran Pande Kusamba-Klungkung Pura Kumuda Saraswati Ubud Pamerajan Alit Ubud Pura Batur Arya “Warih Kepaon” Cengolo Sudimara Tabanan Pura Dalem Majapahit Banjar Denuma Kukuh Marga Tabanan Pura Dalem batur Bangli Pura Buana Kawan Besakih Pura Ida Ratu Pasek Besakih Pura Dalem Suci Desa Dukuh Sidemen Karangasem 25 Aug Hari Redite Umanis Ukir Sanggah Gede Dukuh Segening Tegal Tugu Gianyar

28 Aug Buda Wage Ukir Pura Pejenengan Kawitan Arya Tauman Banjar Jelantik Kuri Batu Desa Tojan Gelgel Klungkung Pura Pasar Agung Besakih (Alit) Besakih Pura Pasek bendesa Pasar Badung Legian Kuta Pura Gede Gunugn Agung D u k u h Munggu Badung Hyang Agung Pura Ibuwanasari Tegal Pura Puseh, Desa di Bebablang Bangli Pura Dalem Peruncak Badung Pura Pasek Bendesa Hyang Selat Kerobokan Badung Pura Kereban Langit Desa Sading Mengwi Badung Pemerajan Sareng Kangin Baleran Ubud 3 Sep Anggarkasih Kulantir Pura Penataran Tangkas Sukawati Pura Dalem Lagan Bebalang Bangli Pura Puseh Lembeng Ketewel Sukawati Pura Pasek Gelgel Penulisan Kerambitan Tabanan Pura Gaduh Sanding Pura Dalem Gandamayu Klungkung Pura Sang Hyang Tegal Banjar Tarokaja Tegalalang 4 Sep Tilem Sasih Karo Banjar Pasek Tangkas Pasekan Kaler Tabanan Pura Gaduh Benoh Ubung Denpasar 8 Sep Redite Keliwon Tulu Pura Dalem Alas Harum Banjar Tegal Kepuh Kediri Tabanan 9 Sep Soma Umanis Tulu Pura Puseh Bale Agung Ubung Kupang Penebel Tabanan Pura Kawitan Sakula Gotra Pasung Grigih Banjar Tegal Kepuh Kaba kaba

Kediri Tabanan Pura Paibon Tangkas Kori Agung Ceningan Kangin Lembongan Pura Batu Medeg Besakih Pura Penataran Agung Penatih banjar saba 11 Sep Buda Pon Tulu Pura Catur Buana Sanding Tampaksiring 12 Sep Wrespati Wage Tolu Pura Peninjoan Besakih 18 Sep Buda Kliwon Gumbreg Pura Pasek Gelgel kukuh Marga Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel Dukuh Selemadeg Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel Mambang Selemadeg Tabanan Pura Puseh, Desa Guwang Sukawati Pura Dalem Setra Batu Nanggul Desa Swana Nusa Penida Pura Dadia Agung Pasek Gelgel Ketewel 19 Sep Purnama Sasih Ketiga Pura Gunung Sari Lombok Pura Kawitan Arya Gajah Para Tianyar Kubu Karangasem Pura Pedharman Arya Telabah Besakih Pura Bukit Mentik Gunung Lebah Desa Batur kintamani Pura Dadia Agung Pasek Salahin Desa Suwat Gianyar 25 Sep Buda Paing Wariga Pura Pasek Gaduh Kayubihi Bangli 28 Sep Hari Tumpek Uduh Pura puseh, desa Desa Batuan Sukawati Pura Pasek Bendesa Desa Kekeran Mengwi Pura Manik Mas Besakih

Balinese Temple Ceremony Every Temple and Shrine has a special date for it annual Ceremony, or “ Odalan “, every 210 days according to Balinese calendar, including the smaller ancestral shrine which each family possesses. Because of this practically every few days a ceremony of festival of some kind takes place in some Village in Bali. There are also times when the entire island celebrated the same Holiday, such as at Galungan, Kuningan, Nyepi day, Saraswati day, Tumpek Landep day, Pagerwesi day, Tumpek Wayang day etc.

The dedication or inauguration day of a Temple is considered its birth day and celebration always takes place on the same day if the wuku or 210 day calendar is used. When new moon is used then the celebration always happens on new moon or full moon. The day of course can differ the religious celebration of a temple lasts at least one full day with some temple celebrating for three days while the celebration of Besakih temple, the Mother Temple, is never less than 7 days and most of the time it lasts for 11 days, depending on the importance of the occasion.

The celebration is very colorful. The shrine are dressed with pieces of cloths and sometimes with brocade, sailings, decorations of carved wood and sometimes painted with gold and Chinese coins, very beautifully arranged, are hung in the four corners of the shrine. In front of shrine are placed red, white or black umbrellas depending which Gods are worshipped in the shrines.

In front of important shrine one sees, besides these umbrellas soars, tridents and other weapons, the “umbulumbul”, long flags, all these are prerogatives or attributes of Holiness. In front of the Temple gate put up “Penjor”, long bamboo poles, decorated beautifully ornaments of young coconut leaves, rice and other products of the land.

Most beautiful to see are the girls in their colorful attire, carrying offerings, arrangements of all kinds fruits and colored cakes, to the Temple. Every visitor admires the grace with which the carry their load on their heads.

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

16 Pages Number 176 5th year

Price: Rp 3.000,-

Entertainment Scarlett Johansson engaged to French journalist

Friday, September 6, 2013

Associated Press Writer

PARIS — Apparently love didn’t get lost in translation for Scarlett Johansson, who is engaged to a Frenchman and onetime journalist. Johansson’s rep, Marcel Pariseau, confirmed her engagement to Romain Dauriac on Thursday. Pariseau said no date was set for their wedding.

Johansson, 28, whose marriage to actor Ryan Reynolds ended in 2010, is Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File

generally reluctant to talk about her private life, but has explained what she does and doesn’t want in a relationship.

“I don’t like jealous behavior,” she told Marie Claire magazine in an interview earlier this year.

“It’s really unattractive because it shows a sort of insecurity.”

Johansson starred in “Lost in Translation” and was in Italy this week promoting “Under the Skin” when the large diamond ring on her left hand started getting attention.

Actress Scarlett Johansson arrives on the red carpet for the screening of the film Under The Skin at the 70th edition of the Venice Film Festival held from Aug. 28 through Sept. 7, in Venice, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013.

FILE - This May 6, 2013 file photo shows actress Michelle Williams at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala benefit, “Punk: Chaos to Couture” in New York.

Michelle Williams to hit Broadway in new ‘Cabaret’

WEATHER FORECAST 23 - 32 Dps

e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id online: http://www.internationalbalipost.com. http://epaper.internationalbalipost.com.

Friday, September 6, 2013 Italy aiming to qualify with 2 matches to spare

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Lawmakers uneasy over US-Myanmar military ties

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Obama heads into the lion’s den in Russia

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APEC drives tourism growth Bali Post

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, said the Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) activities in the APEC Summit 2013 in Indonesia would become the main driver of tourism growth this year.

“The international convention activities bring in many foreign tourists like the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) whose peak takes place this year in Nusa Dua Bali in the upcoming October 7-8,

2013,” said Mari Elka Pangestu.

Mari said her party would optimize the meetings to boost the growth of tourism sector of the country. For the APEC, the ministry had three main activities associated

with the substance of the program.

“We organize the conference ‘High Level Dialogue on Travel Facilitation,’ a Gala Dinner and the launch of ‘Sustainable Development.’ As scheduled, it will be made by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and followed by a high-level international conference in October 5-6, 2013,” she said.

Apart from the three main activities, the ministry would also hold cultural performances in the leader gala dinner on October 7, 2013. “We

also support the spouse program, help desk, TVC and APEC Film as well as the media center,” she said.

According to her, the large number of participants and the heads of state should be taken advantage as a moment for tourism promotion. She stressed the development of tourism industry in Bali should be based on the principles of sustainable tourism.

Such breakthrough was considered essential to sustain the tourism in the region because tourists had now been very concerned about the con-

cept of sustainable tourism.

Domestic tourists On the occasion, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy said that East Java Province was the most desirable or most visited by domestic tourists. “Based on the province, the most visited region by domestic tourists is East Java.

It suggests if this province is the most demanded by domestic tourists,” she said.

Continued on page 6

Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK — Michelle Williams will make her Broadway debut next year in a role best known by Liza Minnelli — fishnet-and-bowler hat wearing chanteuse Sally Bowles in “Cabaret.”

The Roundabout Theatre Company confirmed Wednesday that the former “Dawson’s Creek” and “Brokeback Mountain” star will join Alan Cumming in the revival. Williams takes over after Emma Stone withdrew due to scheduling conflicts.

Previews will begin March 21 with an opening set for April 24 at the Roundabout ‘s Studio 54 theater on Broadway, the last home of the show, which ran for more than 2,000 performances from 1998 to 2004. It won the Tony Award in 1998 for best musical revival.

Cumming, who will be reprising his 1998 turn as Master of Ceremonies, recently ended a one-man “Macbeth.” Also reprising their parts from the 1998 production: Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall, who will direct. Marshall will also choreograph this time as well.

Set in 1931 Berlin, “Cabaret” centers on the world of the indulgent Kit Kat Klub as it becomes intertwined with the world outside, which gets more precarious on the brink of World War II. The songs by John Kander and Fred Ebb include “Willkommen” and “Tomorrow Belongs to Me.” “Cabaret,” both the Broadway show and 1972 film starring Minnelli, Joel Grey and Michael York, are based on the 1951 Broadway play “I Am a Camera,” which, in turn, was based on Christopher Isherwood’s book “Goodbye to Berlin.”

In addition to Minnelli, the part of Bowles has been played by Jill Haworth, Gina Gershon, Melina Kanakaredes, Natasha Richardson, Jane Leeves, Lea Thompson, Alyson Reed and Judi Dench, among others.

Williams’ film career took off with 2005’s “Brokeback Mountain” and received her first of her three Oscar nominations for her performance as the rejected wife of former real-life partner Heath Ledger’s cowboy. She’s earned two other nods, for “Blue Valentine” and “My Week with Marilyn.” Her other credits include “Shutter Island” and “Land of Plenty” and was directed by Raimi in his recent film “Oz: The Great and Powerful.”

The photo shows on of luxurious hotel in Bali Island. The APEC Summit that held in Bali on October will support the development of tourism sector this year. Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, said the Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) activities in the APEC Summit 2013 in Indonesia would become the main driver of tourism growth this year.

AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis

IBP/File Photo